Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 629: To ask the Minister for Defence if the investigation into the Jadotville siege has been completed; the findings of same; if there are plans to commemorate those who participated; if a date has been arranged for such a commemoration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9094/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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As I outlined to the House on 26 January 2005, I have received and examined the Jadotville report. The report fully exonerates the actions of A Company. At the time they surrendered, nothing would have been served by fighting on, except further and unnecessary bloodshed. It is clear from the report that the company and its commanding officer acted appropriately given all the circumstances. The report recommended that the events at Jadotville and the contribution of the 35th Battalion should be given appropriate recognition.

In that regard, I have decided that a plaque will be situated in Athlone to commemorate the events at Jadotville and the very significant contribution of A Company and of the 35th Battalion, as a whole, to the UN peace support mission in the Congo. To that end, discussions are ongoing at present in the Western Brigade regarding the siting of this plaque.

I have also decided that portraits of Lieutenant Colonel McNamee, 35th Battalion commander, and Commandant Quinlan, company commander, A Company, will be commissioned, and arrangements in that regard are under way. Once completed, it is intended that those portraits will hang in the Congo Room in the United Nations Training School in the Curragh. No date has been set at this stage for the unveiling of the plaque or the portraits.