Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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108. To ask the Minister for Defence if he will explain his refusal to amend Defence Forces regulation 9, new series, for the four year rule for granting of Distinguished Service Medals for the fire on board the LE Cliona in 1962, with particular reference to comments made by him at the annual commemoration in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham this year that nobody would be forgotten. [34757/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware the provisions for the award of military medals are incorporated in Defence Force Regulations A9 (New Series) - 'Dress and Medals'. The Regulations provide that a recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Service Medal must be made and forwarded to the Chief of Staff not later than four years after the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made. I have been advised by the military authorities that there is no record of such a recommendation having been made, at the time of the event or at any time since, in respect of the individuals referred to by the Deputy. While the report into the incident acknowledges the performance of these two men, along with the rest of the ship’s company, in extinguishing the fire on the LÉ Clíona on 29 May 1962, it makes no recommendation in relation to the award of any medal or citation.

As the Deputy will appreciate, I am bound by the provisions of Defence Force Regulations A9 (New Series) and they cannot simply be amended to address one particular incident. However, I have requested that the Chief of Staff have the circumstances surrounding the incident in May 1962 reviewed. He will report to me with his findings and recommendations which I will then consider.