Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Senators Craughwell, Wilson and Ned O'Sullivan mentioned PDFORRA and the Defence Forces in their contributions. We have had a number of debates in the House and it was also raised yesterday in a different way. I very much welcome mediation. It is important that we have mediation.

I join with Senator Craughwell in commending and congratulating our retired veterans on their participation in the St. Patrick's Day parades across the country. They are an important part of the parade. They do Trojan work and are a strong advocate for members of the Defence Forces. I thank them for their service and their organisation in terms of the parade. It is very important that those men and women walk in uniform under that banner in the Cork parade. It is a wonderful sight and it serves as a wonderful testimony to their service and commitment. I commend them on that.