Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for his response. I accept his response and I am aware of what he outlined in terms of the national flag being presented automatically if the deceased is a serving member. I ask for the Department to reconsider this matter and give certainty. I ask that if members have a full service and meet the qualifying criteria, their family is presented with a national flag at the funeral.There has to be certainty in this. If the deceased had an unblemished record, a full service, and served at the required level, there should be criteria set out so that the flag can be presented to his or her family. If the deceased meets those criteria, that should be sufficient. If he or she does not, the answer will naturally be "No."

In fairness to the length of service of personnel and in having respect for the military and the Defence Forces, there must be clarity and certainty brought to this matter. If criteria are set down in a list and they are met, that is all well and good.