Mattie McGrath spoke on 3 July 2024, criticising the Tánaiste's remarks as creating the impression that Irish neutrality is outdated and accusing the government of undermining safeguards like the triple lock and PESCO. He raised concerns about soldier pay and family finances, praised peacekeepers abroad, and demanded recognition and redress for the men of Jadaville.
Critique of neutrality comments
He accused the Tánaiste of "creating the impression out there that you've said it, that our neutrality was an outdated concept" and said she had "created your own headspace" by holding events and inviting a sympathetic chairperson, which he said has left the public distrustful on the issue.
Concerns about defence policy and safeguards
He warned the government was "tinkering away the triple lock" and listed PESCO among other areas of concern, arguing these moves undermine long-standing safeguards on Irish defence policy.
Pay and conditions for soldiers
He acknowledged pay increases for new recruits but warned that wages remain "very, very poor" for soldiers with partners and families, saying higher entry pay does not resolve household financial pressures.
Praise for peacekeepers and personal example
He paid tribute to Irish peacekeepers who have served around the world and cited a personal example - a friend, Gerard Connolly, based in Kilkenny, who has been "over and back to Lebanon, different areas," with his wife and family at home.
Jadaville recognition and justice
He urged that the men of Jadaville receive prompt recognition and justice for their "brave, brave, heroic deeds," called for the State to acknowledge the mistreatment and demonisation they suffered, and said many have been denied support from the army and successive Irish government predictions.
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Good morning, good, that's Cancola, I too am delighted to speak in this tonight, and like in a lumped, Tanaiste, you're creating the impression out there that you've said it, that our neutrality was an outdated concept, and you've created your own headspace in this, you have, then you held your old show, your first little get-togethers, and invited, especially invited the chairperson who, you know, you knew was a safe pair of hands, you'll find the view, and some of them were interrupted in Corkham, I don't support that, but I mean, people are not happy, and people don't trust you on this issue, that's one thing she was saying, and I don't trust you on this issue, and you're tinkering away the triple lock, and many, many other areas, and Pesco, and everything else, and why don't you, listen to me, and you mentioned pay a few minutes ago, and since pay is risen, it has, if you're a young soldier joining, yes, thank God, it's good, but what happens if you have a partner or wife and family, the wages are very, very poor, and I want to salute our peacekeepers that have ever crossed the world, and at the moment I have a friend of mine in Newcastle, Gerard Connolly, who's stationed in Kilkenny, and he's over and back to Lebanon, different areas, and his wife and family are at home, and all the other colleagues with him, and I have to ask you as well, like, like, the men of Jadaville, they're waiting so long for recognition, and justice, and acknowledgement of the brave, brave, heroic deeds that they did, and we know the one of them, when she's at Henry Ward recently, and why, how much longer are they going to have to, how much longer more are they going to have to wait, to be recognised for what they did, and recognised for the bravery, and recognised, and also, the state to acknowledge the mistreatment that they got, and the way that they have been demonised, and not supported by the army, or by successive Irish government predictions, so, the men of Jadaville must be recognised, and it will be, it's over time, and there's a limited number of them left, so I believe it must happen sooner rather than later. Thank you for the rest of the time, thank you, sir, and thank you for your introduction, and thank you very much.
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