Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate PDFORRA on its successful case where the European Committee on Social Rights has upheld the entitlement of members of the Defence Forces to collective bargaining. For some time now the representative bodies have been advising that while side deals are done by firemen, nurses, teachers and various other groups, they have been prevented from doing this so it is my hope that the Minister will embrace this recommendation and allow them full access to collective bargaining.

On a separate issue, the Leader and, in particular, Senator McFadden, were extremely supportive of the Defence Forces in terms of the Jadotville medals. I acknowledge in particular the work of Senator McFadden who engaged with me constantly prior to the presentation of the medals. Her affiliation to the Custume Barracks soldiers is something to be commended but now that we have gone this far, can we go the rest of the journey? There was an issue in Cork, the Leader's constituency, from May 1962 where, in a naval exercise, a depth charge blew up prematurely on the LE Cliona, causing severe injuries to four members of that crew. We have recognised the crew with a commendation but we have not recognised them with a medal.

We also have the ridiculous situation of a soldier who left the Defence Forces in December 2015, having served 44 years, and a recruit who joined in January of 2016. The man with 44 years service did not get a 1916 medal but the recruit got one. We are now finding those medals for sale on e-Bay. That is a disgrace.

We should recognise those who served on our Border over 40 years of the Troubles with some form of decoration or medal.In case anybody thinks I am vying for such an award, I would not qualify because I served on the Border for just two days.