Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----to Bernard Kelly's book, Returning Home: Irish Ex-Servicemen after the Second World War . It is an excellent book which I read some time ago. It is a very interesting account of the contribution made by those who fought in the Second World War. I recollect that Mr. Kelly also considers a slightly earlier period in history, namely, the First World War. As Minister for Defence, I have visited different states and found that there is a history of people born in this state, from 1922 onwards, and on the island of Ireland, prior to 1922, who fought in foreign armies on foreign fields on the side with which most people on this island would identify. When I visited the war museum in Australia, I looked at the walls and discovered lists of those who had died in the First World War and the Second World War. The number of Irish names on these lists is extraordinary. Not all of them were second, third or fourth generation Irish. If one examines the history of Australia in the context of the two world wars, one will discover that many Irish emigrants in the 18 to 35 year age group joined the Australian army and fought in these wars. There were also those who joined the armies of the United States and Canada. I have read a number of books on this subject, some of which dealt with the United States, some with Canada and others with Australia. However, all of the information has not been brought together in one publication. In years gone by an extraordinary number of young people who had emigrated from Ireland and never had any intention of joining up and fighting in navies, armies or air corps ultimately did join and fought in either the First World War or the Second World War. That is an extremely interesting and important aspect of our history of which we should not lose sight.

I thank those on all sides who spoke during the debate. I must make special mention of my Fine Gael and Labour Party colleagues for being supportive of things I do on occasion which might create difficulties for them. I extend my thanks to all other Members of the House.

This is an important Bill. When it has been enacted, it would be nice if we could invite some of those who fought in the Second World War who are still with us and very elderly to come to the House for some celebration. I do not know whether it would be possible to do this or whether we would be in a position to identify and invite the appropriate people. Perhaps Senators might give some thought to the matter, particularly as it will be some weeks before the Bill is passed by both Houses. The objective is to have it enacted before Easter. It might be a nice way to pay tribute to people who are still with us and had adventures in foreign fields which were important to the State and are part of their history and that of their families. For far too long, those to whom I refer did not receive the recognition they deserved.