John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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292. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the report being undertaken by an independent review group into the question of the recommendation of gallantry medals for the Irish soldiers involved in the siege of Jadotville; the timeframe for the completion of the report and a final decision; if the report will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34043/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The issue of awarding of Military Medals for Gallantry (MMG) and Distinguished Service Medals (DSMs) to personnel who served in Jadotville in September 1961 has been considered on a number of occasions over the years and a number of actions have taken place to give due recognition to the courage and bravery of all the members of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion who were stationed in Jadotville in 1961.

Notwithstanding the actions that have been undertaken to date, I have asked the Chief of Staff to consider whether it is possible, as an exceptional measure, to have a retrospective examination of the events at Jadotville in September 1961 in the context of the award of medals and the possible implications for the integrity of the award of medals system.  In response the Chief of Staff proposed the establishment of an independent group of external experts to consider the entire case and evidence, including new evidence, if any, available.

The Independent Review Group was established by the Chief of Staff in December 2020 and consists of the following members:

Brigadier-General Paul Pakenham (Retired) (Group Chairperson).

Dr Michael Kennedy, Royal Irish Academy.

Commandant Billy Campbell (Retired).

RSM Michael Dillon (Retired).

Ms Linda Hickey, Military Archives.

Their Terms of Reference are as follows.  The Review Group will

(a)  consider ONUC’s operational environment in Katanga, and in particular in Elizabethville and Jadotville

(b)  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)  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) may consider the actions of individuals not already the subject of a recommendation for a medal in respect of Jadotville

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

In line with the Terms of Reference, the Independent Review Group will examine, report and make recommendations in relation to the ‘Battle of Jadotville’ from 13 to 17 September 1961 and will report its findings to the Chief of Staff.

The Independent Review Group have been actively engaged in the consultation and research process and was originally due to conclude by 31st March 2021.  However, given the sheer volume of meetings and the comprehensive nature of the research process, an interim report was submitted and an extension to the timeframe for reporting to the Chief of Staff was requested.

Taking into account the volume of research material and engagement being undertaken by the Independent Review Group in the course of its work on this very important matter, this request for extension was acceded to.  It is expected that the Independent Review Group will submit it's final report to the Convening Authority shortly.

Once the work of the Indpendent Review Group has been  completed, the Chief of Staff will make recommendations, as appropriate, to my Office.

At this juncture, it would be premature to state if the interim  report or the final report, once submitted, will be published or released.  I will await the outcome of the work of the Independent Review Group and the recommendations of the Chief of Staff in due course.  When the final report has been received and any findings have been given due consideration, a decision on the release of the interim report and final report will then be made, taking into account any legal or other considerations arising.