Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister to the House and thank him for his overview of the Bill. The Bill provides a pardon and amnesty to those who absented themselves from the Defence Forces without leave or permission in order to fight on the Allied side during the Second World War. The Government has apologised for the manner in which these individuals were treated by the State after the war. It recognises the value and importance to the State of the essential service given by all who served in the Defence Forces throughout the war. They performed a crucial duty for the State during a period of national emergency and enormous difficulty. The loyalty of the Defence Forces to the State is indispensable.

In addressing the question of desertion during the Second World War, the Government acknowledges that the war gave rise to circumstances that were grave and exceptional. Members of the Defence Forces left their posts to fight on the Allied side against tyranny and, together with many thousands of Irish men and women, played an important role in defending freedom and democracy. Those who fought on the Allied side also contributed to protecting the State's sovereignty, independence and democratic values.

In August 1945 the Government of the day used an emergency powers order to address the issue of members of the Defence Forces who had absented themselves during the war by summarily dismissing them from the Defence Forces and disqualifying them from holding employment or office remunerated from the State Central Fund for seven years. Individuals were not given an opportunity to explain their absence. This remained the position following the transposition of the emergency powers order into an Act of the Oireachtas in 1946. No distinction was made between those who fought for freedom and democracy on the Allied side and those who absented themselves for other reasons.

Our understanding of history has matured in the years since the outbreak of the war. It is time for understanding and forgiveness. In recognition of the shared history and experience of Ireland and Britain, it is right that the role played by Irish veterans who fought on the Allied side be recognised and the rejection they experienced be understood. To that end the Government is resolved to provide a legal mechanism to offer an amnesty to those who absented themselves from our Defence Forces and fought with Allied forces in the Second World War, and to pardon those who were individually court-martialled. This will, however, be achieved without undermining the general principle regarding desertion, as the Minister has explained.

The Bill will provide that the pardon and amnesty do not give rise to any right or entitlement or any liability on the part of the State. As the Minister has emphasised in extending this amnesty and pardon, the Government does not condone desertion and fully recognises, values and respects the contribution of all those who stood by their posts in the Defence Forces and pledged their lives to defend this State's integrity and sovereignty against any and all aggressors. I welcome that the measure has support from both sides of the House and I look forward to its speedy passage.