The Defence Forces are conducting an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a battle in the Congo in 1961, in which Irish troops held out for five days against a force nearly 20 times its size.
The Minister for Defence, Michael Smith, told the Dáil that a submission on the Battle of Jadotville had been received from a retired army officer, and was being examined by a board of military officers.
Fine Gael's Dinny McGinley, who raised the issue, said that the Irish troops had inflicted 300 casualties, while suffering only seven wounded, and had withstood bombardment from land and air for five days.
But he said their heroism had been airbrushed out of Irish military history.
Mr McGinley added that many of those who had fought in the battle had died, and the rest were not looking for money or compensation, but only for recognition.
Minister Smith said he would try to have the board report as quickly as possible, and there would be no delay in his response.
