Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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287. To ask the Minister for Defence further to Parliamentary Question No. 108 of 8 October 2015, if the Chief of Staff has as yet reported to him with his findings and recommendations in regard to the review of the fire on board the LÉ Cliona on 29 May 1962; if he has considered those findings and recommendations; and the steps he will take to address the matter on foot of those considerations. [41256/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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On 29 May 1962, the LÉ Clionawas participating in an annual exercise south of Roches Point when she suffered damage following the explosion of a depth charge which had been dropped during the course of the exercise. Leaking oil ignited resulting in a serious fire. Over the last few months I received a number of representations in relation to retrospective awards for two individuals for actions taken by them in relation to extinguishing the fire onboard the LE Cliona.

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 concerned.

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 in May 1962, it makes no recommendation in relation to the award of any medal or citation.

As the Deputy is aware, I requested that the Chief of Staff have the circumstances surrounding the incident on board the LÉ Cliona on 29 May 1962 reviewed. That review is still ongoing. As I previously advised the Deputy, I will consider the findings and recommendations of that review once I receive them from the Chief of Staff.