In September 1961, 155 men from A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, under the command of the late Commandant Pat Quinlan fought bravely against overwhelming odds for five days in the siege of Jadotville, Congo, against a force of over 3,000 mercenaries and Katangese forces. These brave Irish men followed orders and miraculously suffered no fatalities, while the enemy suffered 300 dead and 750 wounded. Sadly, after 56 years, certain officers and non-commissioned officers recommended for medals for leadership and bravery by Commandant Quinlan have not yet received their awards.

Commandant Quinlan has never been recommended for bravery and leadership. This is completely unbelievable when one considers his extraordinary achievement. This should be rectified immediately.

The fifth year history students in Galway community college, led by their teacher, Philip Cribbin, who is in the Gallery today, have been petitioning politicians, Ministers and have also contacted the Taoiseach, requesting that these medals be awarded. In addition, 200 students from Malahide community school, Dublin, some of whom also are in the Gallery today, have similarly petitioned for the award of these medals. I am especially proud to have retired Commandant Leo Quinlan, son of the late Pat Quinlan, as well as Jadotville veterans, Quartermaster Sergeant Michael Tighe and Corporal Tadhg Quinn, as my guests in the Dáil today.

Sadly, only 41 survivors from the siege of Jadotville are still alive today. On behalf of the students from Galway community college, I appeal to the Taoiseach to award medals to the officers and NCOs, as recommended by Commandant Pat Quinlan in 1961 following 56 years of campaigning.

The Taoiseach is no doubt aware of the fact that a 1965 military board considered the recommendation of Commandant Pat Quinlan that medals be awarded to eight or nine of his officers and NCOs who were under his command in Jadotville. No medals were awarded and no one seems to know why. Only recently, I learned that when that board met in 1965, it was not asked to consider the actions of the commander of the day, Commandant Quinlan. Commandant Pat Quinlan should be considered for a medal of recognition of his outstanding military and tactical leadership in the field of battle. The evidence is clear from his actions: Commandant Quinlan saved the lives of his men in his company.

I understand that the awarding of medals for members of the Defence Forces falls to a military board that reports to the Chief of Staff. I believe that the time is right to ask the Chief of Staff, Vice Admiral Mark Mellett, to appoint a medals board to review the awarding of medals of the solders of Jadotville. In particular, such a board should review the awarding of a medal to Commandant Pat Quinlan. Will the Taoiseach support the officers, NCOs and men from the siege of Jadotville, as well as their families, and ask Vice Admiral Mellett to convene the board as a matter of urgency? Furthermore, will the Taoiseach commit to reporting progress to the House following his discussions with Vice Admiral Mellett?

I thank Deputy Grealish for raising this, and I understand he has some of his colleagues with him in the House. The matter of awarding medals to the men of A Company was raised in a letter to a newly appointed Chief of Staff and he asked the original medals board to reconvene and review its decision. The board indicated that the issues raised had received consideration and that it was not prepared to alter its findings.

On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the siege of Jadotville the Minister of State at the Department of Defence, Deputy Kehoe, took the decision to honour the collective actions and bravery of the men of A Company and issue a unit citation. This was the first time that a unit citation was awarded within the Defence Forces to recognise formally the brave actions of these men. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, hosted an occasion in Custume Barracks in Athlone on 17 September last at which the unit citation was presented to the company in respect of its collective heroism and professional performance during the siege of Jadotville while cut off from support and reinforcements. A specially commissioned insignia will also be provided to the members and the next of kin of deceased members of A Company in the coming weeks. These are rewards that are used internationally by other military forces to recognise units that have served with particular distinction or heroism. The Minister of State is satisfied that the award of a unit citation and the associated specially commissioned insignia properly honours the collective bravery of the men of A Company, 35th Infantry Battalion.

On 19 December last, the Minister of State was in Renmore Barracks with Deputy Grealish and other Members of the Oireachtas and he met students of the fifth year history class of Galway community college. He was impressed by the interest and knowledge of the students about the events at Jadotville in 1961. Since then, the Minister of State has written to the students outlining his reason for awarding a unit citation and insignia as a means of formal recognition of the collective bravery and outstanding performance of the men of A Company. I have a letter I received from Galway community college and I commend Alanna O'Reilly, Stefan Madalin, Wiktoria Gorczyca and Patrick Lenehan, on behalf of the fifth year students in Galway community college, on the way they wrote it.

Deputy Grealish made a particular point in respect of Commandant Pat Quinlan, his bravery and the fact his actions saved lives at the time. I will have the matter examined. I will talk to the Chief of Staff but I will not give the Deputy a guarantee. The Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, has examined the matter and he said the insignia and unit citation are in accordance with the practice of military forces in other countries for recognising bravery and courage in the face of attack. I will have the matter examined and I will report back to the House.

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas leis an Taoiseach. I acknowledge the support of my colleagues in Galway. Deputy Catherine Connolly raised this in a question to the Minister of State last week. There is full support on this from all Members of the Oireachtas from Galway. The UN military commander in Katanga, Brigadier K. A. S. Raja memorably said that "the Irish troops in Jadotville were magnificent and Commandant Quinlan, the Irish commander, would, in the Indian army, be awarded the highest military award for gallantry ... I believe he could be held as an example to all soldiers". That is an important statement from the UN commander at the time on what Commandant Pat Quinlan achieved that day. I hope the Taoiseach has seen the film on this subject.

I seek a firm commitment from the Taoiseach that he will right a wrong. These people were never officially recognised. I accept that the unit received a citation from the Minister of State, Deputy Kehoe, in Athlone last year, but Commandant Pat Quinlan's memory should be honoured and the medals which he proposed should be given to the soldiers for their bravery and honour. I hope the Taoiseach will return to the House with a positive response after he meets with the Vice Admiral.

The Deputy mentioned the Indian Brigadier's comments on the bravery of the Irish soldiers. I often mention the fact that Robert E. Lee said the same about General Meagher's regiment in the American Civil War, from which came the description the "fighting Irish". The Deputy raised an interesting point when he said it is not known why medals were not awarded and asked the reason for that. That is an issue we must examine.

These men fought in this incident. They showed exceptional bravery and courage. Some have not been awarded medals. The actions of Commandant Quinlan, to whom the Deputy specifically referred, saved the lives of other people. I will have that looked at on behalf of all those in Galway, but particularly on behalf of the soldiers and their next of kin and we can reflect on this. It was not an easy time and, no more than many of their predecessors, they showed exceptional courage in the face of enemy fire.