Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 192: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will provide the funds required to ensure that all those who have served overseas are presented with a medal to commemorate fifty years of Irish participation with the UN; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26451/08]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In general terms, medals are currently awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas.

Members who serve overseas, subject to certain criteria, are currently eligible for the award of the UN Peacekeepers Medal. This medal is only awarded once to any one individual, irrespective of the number of overseas missions that they complete during their career.

In addition to the Peacekeepers Medal, a member who serves overseas may also be eligible for the award of a mission-specific medal. Such medals are awarded by the mission organisers, for example, the United Nations, who also set the qualifying criteria for the award.

There is no immediate plan to add to the range of medals that are available in respect of overseas service. The question of creating a commemorative award to mark 50 years of Defence Forces participation in United Nations peacekeeping is being considered by the Medals Review Group that is currently reviewing medals policies for the Defence Forces. This Group is expected to report before the year end.