Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That is why this ceremony that has been organised for the Jadotville heroes, which I have no problem calling them because that is what they were, is being organised in the same way as any other military medal presentation ceremony. A working group was set up, with civil and military personnel on it, to organise this ceremony. I have no problem with any of the arrangements so far, except in the following regard. Athlone, I believe, is the right venue for it and Custume Barracks is the right place for it. There is not a building within Custume Barracks large enough to hold everybody. If we wanted a building big enough, we would have had to take it out of Custume Barracks. It is fitting that it stays within Custume Barracks, which is why there will be a marquee erected for the ceremony which will only hold 390 people. Some of the people who will be there on the day will have to be in the officers' mess watching it on a big screen, which is not ideal. I would very much like everybody to be able to be with their family on the day but that is not possible.I agree with Senator Craughwell that the Minister of State and the Taoiseach should be asked to have a look at the fact the veterans are not going to be there in numbers. It is very important for the families and the surviving members that their colleagues would be there to salute them on the day. It is a very poignant moment. Some of the families tell us their fathers came home from Jadotville and that some soldiers turned their backs on their colleagues in Custume Barracks in 1961, which was soul-destroying for them. It would be very fitting if the same veterans could stand up at the ceremony and salute their colleagues. I ask the Leader to ask the Minister of State or the Taoiseach to intervene on this occasion.