Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Cathaoirleach for giving me the opportunity to raise this very relevant matter. This morning, I am asking the Minister for Defence whether on completion of a military ceremony at the funeral of a member of the Army the Irish flag could be presented to the family of the deceased as a tribute to the service given by the deceased. I believe this would be a suitable acknowledgement of the service given to the State's Defence Forces. Having spoken to many families in Galway and throughout the country who have been in this situation, this is something they would very much appreciate. In Galway city and county I speak to Army families daily and we certainly must consider this. As the Minister of State is aware, this already happens in other countries in Europe and across the world. The flag that would be presented would be cherished, kept safe and respected. It would be passed down through the generations as a reflection of the service given by the deceased member. Our national flag would serve as a symbol to the family and would be very appropriate. I thank the Minister of State, Deputy Brophy, for being in the House and giving of his time to answer the question. All Members of both Houses and people across the country respect the Irish flag to the highest level of nationalism. For a small outlay, the provision of a flag is very worthy and I await his response.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I thank Senator Crowe for raising the matter and I am here to represent the Minister for Defence, Deputy Coveney, who, unfortunately, cannot attend.

I acknowledge the service given by current and former members of the Defence Forces who have devoted their time to serving our country and thank them for it. I hope to provide some clarity on the protocols for military funerals and where it is customary for the national flag to be presented to the next of kin of deceased former members of the Defence Forces' personnel.

I am advised by the military authorities that the national flag, which drapes the coffin of a person who has died in service, is to be presented to the next of kin at the time of place of burial or cremation. However, it is not customary for the national flag to be presented to the next of kin of former members of the Defence Forces' personnel at the time and place of burial or cremation.

Administrative instruction A10 sets out the relevant protocols for military funerals and certain procedures around the presentation of the national flag to the next of kin of deceased former Defence Forces' personnel. That administrative instruction states:

It is not the custom for the national flag to be presented to the next of kin of ex-service personnel. In certain circumstances, where the next of kin of an ex-service personnel requests to be presented with the national flag draping the coffin, the General Officer commanding the Brigade, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Air Corps, or the Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service may accede to such a request.

As set out in the administrative instruction, the national flag may be presented to the next of kin of ex-service members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service and retirement with a satisfactory record. This administrative instruction also delineates the procedures for military participation at a funeral. The administrative instruction A10 states:

Where the family of a retired member of the Permanent Defence Force has requested a Military Funeral and where the exigencies of the service permit, the General Officer Commanding the Brigade , the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service or the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps may authorise military participation at the funeral of a retired member of the Permanent Defence Force who is not entitled to receive a full military funeral under the provisions of paragraph 5 of the Defence Forces Regulation A10. The deceased must have had a minimum of twenty years service and retired with a satisfactory record.

Although the administrative instruction A10 states "where the next of kin of an ex-service personnel requests to be presented with the national flag draping the coffin, the General Officer commanding the Brigade, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Air Corps, or the Flag Officer commanding the Naval Service may accede to such a request", it is not the standard practice to present the family of the deceased with a national flag at that place of burial or cremation. At present, there are no plans to change the procedures referred to in administrative instruction A10.

In conclusion, I again acknowledge the service given by current and former members of the Defence Forces who have devoted so much time to serving the country. It is something that I know we are all immensely proud of.

Ollie Crowe (Fianna Fail)
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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.

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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I have listened to the Senator's remarks. There is much to consider in what he has said and I will convey his remarks to the Minister, Deputy Coveney. Many military families will be interested in his remarks. As it stands, that is the procedure in place, but I will convey the Senator's remarks and the contents of our exchange to the Minister.