Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It would be unusual for me to comment on a debate but seeing as references to the Seanad have been included this report, it would be remiss of me not to comment. I believe the Seanad should have a special debate, as has been proposed, on the 60th anniversary of the siege of Jadotville in September.The terms of reference of the report, issued by the Minister's Department, are as follows:

a. The Review Group will consider ONUC’s operational environment in Katanga, and in particular Elisabethville and Jadotville;

b. The Review Group will consider the historical evidence and processes in relation to all recommendations for military medals received with respect to the events at Jadotville or encompassing Jadotville;

c. The Review Group will engage with national and international stakeholders (including Jadotville veterans) as appropriate, with a view to uncovering any additional or new evidence in this case;

d. The Review Group may consider the actions of individuals not already the subject of a recommendation for a medal in respect of Jadotville;

e. The Review Group will report its findings to the Chief of Staff. The Review Group may make recommendations in relation to possible awards in respect of Jadotville.

Such were the terms of reference. I go to page 360 of the report and I see the heading: "A new public and political campaign for medals". It states that: "A campaign to lobby local and national politicians to award Jadotville medals began in earnest in February 2019". In our job, we get lobbied all the time. That is appropriate; people should lobby us. Members often take up causes. A number of current and former Members are mentioned in chapter 11. They include Eamon Scanlon, Deputies Chambers and Keogh, as well as too many councillors to name. It makes the following point: "The rekindled medals campaign became a convenient way to attack the government and attack senior levels in the Defence Forces." With regard to that comment and other elements of the chapter, the Minister can safely say that is not in the terms of reference of the review. I am from County Kerry and so is Pat Quinlan. There is a monument to Pat Quinlan between Derrynane and Waterville. If the Minister is ever on the Ring of Kerry, I ask him to stop by. I am sure Pat Quinlan would rather all his men get medals than he get one.