Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Cathaoirleach on his elevation, which I have not done since it took place, and I wish him well in his position. I also wish well the Leader of the House, Senator Buttimer, as he takes the House forward.

I note that we are starting on a bad footing, which is statements. I would like this House to avoid statements as much as possible and to deal with legislation as we move forward. I would also love it if Members of the House remembered, whether they want to be in the Dáil or not, that they are in the Seanad and that we do not have geographical constituencies.This is a national House of Parliament. I ask that people try to keep the old constituency stuff at a minimum.

I second Senator McDowell’s amendment to the Order of Business.

I congratulate my colleague and good friend from Galway, Senator Lawless, for drawing attention to gun law and the outrageous situation involving the National Rifle Association, NRA, in the United States. That might be worth a debate.

The former Ministers for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht, Defence and Public Expenditure and Reform, did a fantastic job during the Easter celebrations to commemorate the centenary of the Easter Rising. As a result a medal was struck for the members of the Defence Forces who paraded on that day. That medal will be available to anyone who joins the Defence Forces between now and the end of the year. However, 120 men who formerly served in the Defence Forces and are now members of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association, IUNVA, are denied access to this medal. That is an outrage. Not only did these men parade on Easter Sunday and at every military event but they have also served this country with distinction, at home and abroad. It is miserable in the extreme to deny them the medal that every other serving member of the Defence Forces will receive. I ask the Leader to take that matter up with the Minister for Defence. Other Members might perhaps join me in this request. Many suffer post-traumatic stress disorder, etc., and have sacrificed being with their families for a long time to serve the country. Will the Leader please ask the Minister about this and report back to the House?