Terry Brennan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Minister stated here today that desertion was a very serious offence, that members of the Defence Forces during the Emergency were performing an important role and that no decision should undervalue their loyalty and service to this nation. Many who deserted went on to fight, as others have said, against fascism. Many were driven by a commitment to protect democracy from tyranny and dictatorship, as has already been stated by my colleague, Senator Mary Ann O'Brien, who raised the issue here last November. I commend her on taking it before the House.

Last year, the Minister apologised on behalf of the State in the Lower House for the manner in which those members of the Defence Forces who left to fight on the Allied side during the Second World War were treated after the war by this State. He promised to introduce legislation to grant pardon and amnesty to those members of the Defence Forces. I recognise the value and importance of their military contribution to the Allied victory. It is only right and fitting to introduce this legislation to grant pardon and amnesty to those who absented themselves from the Defence Forces without leave or permission to fight on the Allied side.

In his statement today, the Minister commended the Defence Forces at home who performed a crucial duty for the State at a time of national emergency, enormous difficulty and great hardship. He acknowledged the loyalty of the Defence Forces to the State and that it is indispensable and essential to the national interest that members of the Defence Forces do not abandon their duties at any time. Those who fought on the Allied side also contributed to protecting this State's sovereignty, independence and democratic values. Like other Senators, I acknowledge the significant peacekeeping record of our Defence Forces in faraway places like Lebanon, the Congo and Namibia. Many of them paid the ultimate price and lost their lives on peacekeeping missions in those foreign fields and are to be congratulated. As a young man, I remember a soldier telling me he was heading for the Congo. I had to look up an atlas to find out where the Congo was. I said I would never see him again. Tá mé beagnach críochnaithe. Níl ach leathleathanach fágtha agam. The Bill is a stand-alone Bill. I congratulate the Minister. He said he would do it and he can give me a tour in this House any time.