Aidan Davitt (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister here today. I certainly welcome the promised review. It is imperative that the committee is given a free path to make its own findings and recommendations. As the Minister mentioned, the composition of the committee is most important.

As the Minister stated, two reviews where held in 1962 and 1965. In the fullness of time the narrative and perspective can change.

I commend several local authorities, including my own one, Westmeath County Council, under the stewardship of the cathaoirleach, Ken Glynn. I know Joe Carroll in Cork, and several different local authorities had this on their agenda, which helped to speed this up. The A Company leader, Commandant Quinlan, had recommended that 27 of his men be awarded distinguished service medals and five received the military medal of gallantry.

Tom Gunn from Mullingar served in Jadotville.I recommend that all the serving members are interviewed as part of this process.