I deeply regret revisiting the Jadotville issue this morning but I have no choice. Somebody somewhere is not telling the truth. I received the a copy of a message which I understand is from the Department to members of veteran associations. I will spare the House the introduction but it goes on to state that this is not a medal parade or a medal ceremony but a medal presentation and that the reason for this is the time of year and the possibility of inclement weather. It further states that it is necessary to have the recipients and families indoors for the presentation, which is why a marquee will be used, and that it is important to note that, in order to have a dignified event, which will take some time to present medals to 49 Jadotville veterans and 170 Jadotville family representatives, they must be as comfortable as possible. It further states that the limitation of guest numbers is due to the restricted space in both the marquee and the dining complex.

I served in Athlone. The barracks square in Athlone is as big as this complex. There is no shortage of space. The veterans concerned deserve the right to go up to the Minister. Incidentally, I believe the Minister has nothing to do with this. I understand he is out of the country on business-----

Given that this is the third day he has raised the issue, I ask Senator Craughwell to distil and outline his concerns and what exactly is the major issue.

I will do that.

I cannot give him any information unless I know exactly what it is he wants rather than a general-----

It might also be helpful if Senator Craughwell were to send a letter setting out his concerns to both the Leader and the Minister. If he does not get a response, he can raise the matter again next week.

I am trying to be helpful, as the Senator knows. I am not against what he is trying to achieve.

I know that and I know that Senator McFadden is also deeply concerned about the reaction of veterans and deeply committed to the military in Athlone. Very simply, veterans want to be able to go up to the Minister, salute him, and have their medal pinned on their chest. Those who are not able to walk will happily be wheeled up and those who are not in wheelchairs and still unable to walk will be carried up because they deserve that level of respect. They want their colleague veterans on the square in Athlone to witness this event.

Which colleague veterans?

Members of the Irish United Nations Veterans Association and the Organisation of National Ex-servicemen and Women.

Does the Senator mean a representative group or everybody?

Every one of them who turns up.

How many are there?

For starters, there will be two bus loads from Galway.

Put a number on it.

I cannot put a number on it today. Will the Leader tell me a number? One hundred?

I do not know. I am trying to be helpful, a Chathaoirligh.

I think 100 would be a reasonable number to expect.

I do not think we can resolve this today. The Senator has made his point on successive days and his time is more or less up. I suggest that he, through the Leader or the Minister, have this resolved by next Tuesday. If not, I will allow him to raise the matter again on Tuesday.

I deeply appreciate that, a Chathaoirligh. I wish to say to the Leader that I do not believe anyone on that side of the House is doing anything to obstruct this. I believe the Leader himself and Senator McFadden are bending over backwards to try to get this solved. I want to acknowledge that on the floor of the House.

That is why I am asking the questions. It is to be helpful. We are not trying to obfuscate or to obstruct-----

I ask the Senator to correspond directly with the Leader and the Minister, setting out precisely the problem. It seems to be back and forth every day here ad nauseum and I am not sure if we are going forwards or backwards. I think we are standing time.

I thank the Leader for his understanding on the matter.