Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea is examining a report on the accuracy of the Army's version of the massacre of eight Irish soldiers in the Congo in 1960.
As the 46th anniversary of the Niemba ambush passed today, fresh calls were made for the only two survivors to be honoured and cleared of any wrongdoing.
The minister, who received the report last month, is studying it with senior officers in the Defence Forces.
A decision on whether survivors Joe Fitzpatrick and Tom Kenny should be honoured is expected next week. Almost half a century since the Niemba ambush, under the first UN-mandated service abroad for Irish troops, doubts remain over what happened.
It is the single worst atrocity suffered by Irish peacekeepers. It is understood the minister is eager to meet the men and discuss the findings of the report before any decision is made on honours. Compiled by a Colonel in the Defence Forces it took nearly 17 months to complete.
But Joe Costello, Labour Party defence spokesman, said: "There is no doubt about it that the initial report in relation to that ambush was inaccurate and that the two men in question had behaved honourably in every sense.
"I do believe that it is invidious to honour the dead and not the living." It is understood the Army report from the time noted that Pvt Kenny's life was saved by a colleague, Trooper Anthony Browne, who was killed, but his body was found three miles from where the ambush occurred.
Mr Costello said: "That detracted from Pte Kenny who fought bravely in Niemba." And the Dublin Central TD added any insinuation that the two surviving soldiers acted in a cowardly fashion should be lifted once and for all. On the 28th July 1960 Lt-Col Murt Buckley led the men of the 32nd Irish Battalion out to the Congo on a peacekeeping mission.
Twenty-six men died in the Congo, nine died in one attack — the Niemba ambush, the single largest loss of life on a UN mission. The ambush, by Baluba tribesmen, took place at Niemba as the Irish soldiers tried to repair a bridge over the Luweyeye River.
Remembrance ceremonies are to be held this weekend for the men who died at Cathal Brugha Barracks with wreaths laid in their memory. Honours will be rendered by Oglaigh Naisiunta Na hEireann Teoranta colour party.