Written answers
Thursday, 16 April 2015
Department of Defence
Military Honours
Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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110. To ask the Minister for Defence in view of the fact that a large number of members of the Defence Forces served during the emergencies that were declared as a result of the period here known as the Troubles, maintaining peace in this State, one of whom made the ultimate sacrifice, if consideration will be given to awarding a service medal to those who gave service to the State and who were directly involved in the support of the civil power during that time, from 1968 to 1998; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15007/15]
Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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There are currently two medals, under the provisions of Defence Force Regulations A.9 (New Series) – Dress and Medals, that mark the service of personnel with either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force. The medal known as “The Service Medal” may be awarded to an officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the Permanent Defence Force, or a member of the Army Nursing or Chaplaincy Services who possess the qualifying criteria for the award. The qualifying service for officers and members of the Chaplaincy Service and Army Nursing Service is 5,475 days satisfactory and continuous service. The qualifying service for NCOs and Privates is 3,650 days satisfactory and continuous service.“The Service Medal (Reserve Defence Force)” (formerly known as The Service Medal FCA and An Slua Muirí) was introduced in 1961 for members and former members of the Reserve and is awarded after 7 years of service.
The award of either of these medals to qualifying personnel reflects the service given by those personnel to either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force as the case may be, and by extension the wider public, during the periods for which they served. While acknowledging the significant role of all Defence Forces personnel to the security of the State throughout the period of The Troubles, I am satisfied that these medals meet the need of marking service of personnel with either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force as the case may be, and I have no plans to introduce additional medals in this regard.
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