Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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43. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the steps that have been or are being taken to implement the recommendation that medals be awarded to the officers and NCOs of the siege of Jadotville in view of the overwhelming support that this recommendation be acted upon (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7104/17]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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The 56th anniversary of the battle of Jadotville occurs in September of this year. The Minister of State met a few weeks ago a group of concerned students from Galway community college on their campaign in this matter. The final step is to give medals to the officers and the NCOs or their surviving families. What progress, if any, has been made in this regard and when will those medals be awarded?

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The issue of the award of medals to the men of A Company was comprehensively addressed in 1965. A properly constituted medals board considered the various cases presented and made a decision that no medals would be awarded. The Chief of Staff of the day considered the decision of the board and was satisfied with the findings.

Subsequently, the question was raised again in a letter to a newly appointed Chief of Staff. He forwarded the letter to the original medals board and asked that it reconvene and review its decision. The board indicated that the issues raised had received due consideration and that it was not prepared to alter its findings.

On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the siege of Jadotville, I decided to issue a unit citation to honour the collective actions and bravery of the men of A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion. I organised and hosted a ceremony in Custume Barracks, Athlone on Saturday, 17 September 2016 at which a unit citation was presented to the company in recognition of its collective heroism and professional performance during the siege of Jadotville while cut off from support and reinforcements. During the ceremony, I presented a copy of the citation to each member of the unit or next of kin in the case of deceased members. This was the first time a unit citation was awarded within the Defence Forces and I was delighted to be able to recognise formally the brave actions of these men. In addition, a specially commissioned insignia will be provided to the members and the next of kin of deceased members of A Company in the coming weeks. These are awards that are used internationally by other militaries to recognise those units that have served with particular distinction.

I am satisfied the events and happenings to date, in particular the award of a unit citation and specially commissioned Insignia , properly honour the collective bravery of the men of A Company.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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The fact the Minister of State is satisfied that the unit citation and insignia are sufficient is disappointing. I welcome these positive steps but what is being asked for specifically, 56 years after the Battle of Jadotville, is that medals be awarded. For the Minister of State to refer to an Irish Medals Board decision in 1965, which is more than 50 years ago, is not helpful. Society has moved on considerably since then. We are speaking in this regard about 155 extremely courageous men, the average of whom was 18 years. As a result of the extraordinary leadership shown by Comdt. Pat Quinlan and his sergeant and other officers, 155 young men were brought home safely to this country following a courageous battle in which they faced 3,500. Surely in the half century since then we have learned something such that it is now time to undo the damage that was done in not giving recognition to those courageous young men.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I did meet the students on the day of the presentation of the 2016 medal in Galway barracks. I, too, acknowledge the leadership shown by the men of A Company under the leadership of Comdt. Pat Quinlan. As I stated, on two occasions a specially constituted medals board considered the various cases to present medals to these brave men. I also further considered the matter in 2016. None of the people concerned is getting any younger. One or two of them passed away in 2016. I have done my utmost to ensure these people are recognised in a fitting manner.

On having seen the advice I got on the medals, I decided we have to do something to commemorate the bravery of these men. That is why the unit citation and insignia were decided upon. The ceremony for the presentation of the citations in Athlone was very moving.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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Two of the survivors died recently. Sergeant Bill Ready died in 2016 and Sergeant Walter Hegarty died in Galway only a few weeks ago. I appeal to the Minister of State to review his decision. We have heard many debates in this Dáil recently on courageous whistleblowers standing up and on what was done to them. This is the most appalling story. It is about the absolute demonisation of young, courageous men to suit the narrative of power and establishment. I appeal to the Minister of State to take action given that a group of young people from Galway Community College are appealing to the Government to undo the damage done. One hundred and fifty-five most courageous young men came back and they were called the "Jadotville Jacks" and told they were cowards just to make sure the establishment did not come under pressure. Notwithstanding that demonisation, those men went on to live lives as full as they could and contribute to society. If we have learned anything about bullying and whistleblowers, let us put it into practice. I appeal to the Minister of State to review the decision.

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I assure the Deputy that I have considered every possible angle with a view to awarding medals to the personnel of A Company. There is no use in giving the Deputy a commitment that I will review this again and that the opinion will be changed because I do not believe that will happen. Again, I applaud the bravery of the men, in addition to the bravery of all the men and women of Óglaigh na hÉireann who have travelled abroad for many years on peacekeeping duties. I commend the group of young students who have taken an interest in this issue and the siege of Jadotville. I have received the correspondence and corresponded back. It is a marvel to see young people showing an interest in such an issue.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I ask the Government to show courage.