Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The news that came yesterday of the Democratic Unionist Party, DUP, and the problems it caused is most distressing. I wish to place on record my congratulations to the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste for the way in which they have stood their ground and have represented this country and for their determination to get the best deal for the country, North and South. It is important to put those things on record as a lot of people are beating the old drum about what they did not do. They have played a sterling job to date and need to be congratulated for that.

I also wish to thank the Government for the ceremony on Saturday for veterans of Jadotville. I also thank my colleague Senator McFadden. It was a wonderful day. It worked out perfectly at the end of the day. It was a credit to the Department of Defence and the Defence Forces. Senator McFadden and the Leader put a lot of work into making sure that we got a dignified occasion. There have been one or two lash backs through my own social media but one will always get that. Some people apparently were disappointed at not being there on the day for the medal but there was no deliberate attempt to exclude anybody. I am sure if they contact me, Senator McFadden, the Leader or anybody in Leinster House, he or she will be happy to see to it that they get it.

As some people are overseas, would it be possible to organise it so that they could collect their family medal from the consulate or embassy rather than just having it posted to them? That might be a nice turn of events. On a positive note, it was a great weekend and a great start to the week for this country. I congratulate the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste for their stance.