Dara Murphy (Cork North Central, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 441 and 442 of 2 October 2012, if there is a status of approval or any other state other than formal recognition; if there is, if he will provide a list of these organisations and identify the level of formal recognition that applied to them; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44191/12]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Department of Defence provides annual subventions to support and encourage the two officially recognised veteran groups, O.N.E. and IUNVA and representatives of both organisations hold formal meetings with Departmental officials. There are a range of other fraternal and comrades associations and clubs which have been formed by members of the Defence Forces including associations relating to particular regiments, brigades, corps etc. The formation of such associations, their number, purpose and ongoing activities is entirely a matter for the members and the Minister has no role in this regard. While the Minister is happy to wish such associations well in their endeavours and activities on behalf of their members, as a matter of policy, no particular status or formal recognition is conferred on them by the Minister nor is there any status other than formal recognition.