Senator Gerard Craughwell- speech from 31 Mar 2022
We publish thousands of recordings to make Irish politics transparent and resistant to manipulation. Spotted an error? Report it — together we are building a reliable archive of Irish politics.
Other speeches
Tego samego dnia All speeches from this day →
Paul Murphy
Paul Murphy accuses Greens of blocking neutrality referendum
Éamon Ó Cuív
Éamon Ó Cuív pushes for advance funding for inshore fishing PO
Gino Kenny
Gino Kenny urges lowering breast screening age to 40
Gino Kenny
Gino Kenny on National Maternity Hospital: Ethos and Ownership
Éamon Ó Cuív
Éamon Ó Cuív reports progress on harbour project tender
Bríd Smith
Bríd Smith: Calls for public control of National Maternity Hospital
Transcript
Go rae maith agat, that's clear look. Leaders this morning, I rise to inform the House that Quartermaster Sergeant Michael Tai passed away yesterday. Michael Tai is one of the Jadaville heroes that was neglected and ignored by this state for the last 65, 70 years and it breaks my heart to think of Michael going to his final resting place still unrecognised by the state. Michael was one of the three people who attended Enda Kenny's office some years back and convinced Enda Kenny to have the Bun Jadaville on Bun Jadaville struck, which was a campaign medal which was awarded to all of those who served in Jadaville. Contrast the treatment of Irish veterans with those of the United States. In Ballyhonas in County Mayo, Corporal Patrick Bob Gallagher rests, his eternal remains rests there. 55 years ago yesterday, Corporal Gallagher gave his life in the Vietnam War. And so highly did the United States think of his gallantry that they have named a ship after him, the USS Gallagher. Just a few headstones away from Corporal Gallagher lies the eternal remains of Private Billy Kedden. Billy was in the Lebanon when the unit he was with came under mortar attack. In order to save his comrades' life, he threw his body at the door of the building they were in and he lost his life. Billy has never been recognised by this state. Never. I could go on and I could name the people who saved 20 O'Connor, who we shot the day he arrived in the Lebanon. Severely wounded and dying and under fire, Dick Hanlon and Martin Flahey and two others went to his rescue and carried him to a medical aid centre under fire and saved his life and they have never been recognised. I say today in this House, let those who have prevented medals being awarded to these heroes, may they hang their heads in shame and hang it in shame forever. Thank you very much. Because they owe these men a damn sight more than they have ever given them. Our defence forces have always been treated badly in this country and today I am rightly angry about the way we treat our heroes. We treat them all badly, but our heroes particularly. Thank you.