Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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96. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the implementation of the recommendations of the report by the independent review group on Jadotville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47153/21]

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I realise we are running out of time so I will be brief. My question is on the independent review on Jadotville. We were to discuss it in the Dáil. I believe the Minister was open to discussing it in the Dáil. It contains 19 recommendations. My question is about their implementation. I know the Minister spoke about it in the Seanad, but the report was only published on that day.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am happy to come back in when we have more time. This is a report I am sure the Deputy read over the summer because she has spoken about it on more than one occasion. The battle of Jadotville occurred 60 years ago this month. This significant event in military history occurred during the Irish peacekeeping mission in the Congo. The issue of awarding military medals to personnel who served at Jadotville has been considered on a number of occasions and, most recently, an independent review group, IRG, was established to examine the issue of awarding military medals to personnel who served at Jadotville. The IRG’s report was published in full on 15 July 2021.

I publicly welcomed the report on its publication last July. The report provides a comprehensive, multidimensional and contextualised account of the battle of Jadotville and its aftermath. The conclusions and recommendations are based on a rigorous and objective examination of all material and evidence available. The deeply unsettling aftermath of Jadotville is acknowledged in the report. Last July when I addressed the Seanad, I apologised to the men of A Company 35th Infantry Battalion who were not provided with the necessary supports or the deserved recognition of their service and valiant actions on their return from Jadotville.

The report of the independent review group is substantial and makes a number of recommendations in respect of the issue of the awarding of medals, recognition of the role of families, and the support they provided to veterans in respect of veterans' affairs. While some of the recommendations and, indeed, some of the commentary in the report fell well outside the group's terms of reference - it is important to say that - all recommendations have been considered at a high level. While some of these can be actioned in the shorter term, other recommendations relate to longer term matters. Recommendations that can be actioned in the short term include honouring the role of families and acknowledging the support they provided to veterans, and planning for a commemorative event to mark the 60th anniversary of Jadotville.

It is my intention to release a detailed statement on progress made on the IRG recommendations in the coming weeks.

Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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I asked the Minster about the implementation of the recommendations. He might come back to me on that. I am glad he said that some of the comments in the report were outside the terms of reference. Perhaps he was only referring to the recommendations. When I read it, much of the language jarred with me. There is a review of the film on Jadotville, which is not very flattering, but that is okay. However, they used that review to fit into their commentary. It reminds me of a certain other report that was published recently. I will leave it at that because the time is up. I ask the Minister for a debate in the Dáil on this comprehensive report of more than 500 pages.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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We have no time for an answer. Is the Minister taking Leaders' Questions?

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I am not.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
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In that case, the Minister can respond to Deputy Connolly while we wait for the Tánaiste to arrive, if he wishes to do so.

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I will be brief. There is much interest in this issue. A judicial review is also under way in respect of challenging the report, and it is difficult for me to comment in too much detail until that judicial review has been settled and we get a clear outcome. We are, however, committed to implementing the recommendations in the report.

To be honest, some elements in the report take away from it. I refer to commentary concerning public representatives and what they have said and done on campaigns etc. It was unhelpful that the report focused on that aspect of the debate on Jadotville.

What is in the report, though, regarding an historical account of what happened, is valuable and accurate. Much work went into that element and it should guide us in future. That is where we are, but I will be happy to have a more substantial debate on this issue when we have an opportunity to do so.

It would be helpful if the judicial review was concluded, because that would allow us to have that debate without having to be concerned about whether our comments might influence the outcome of that legal process. That is just a suggestion, but I will be happy to hold a debate whenever the Members would like to have it.