Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail)
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721. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the annual ceremony to honour deceased members of the Defence Forces which was due to take place at the national defence monument in Merrion Square on Sunday, 6 November 2016, was cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34646/16]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The National Day of Commemoration is held annually by the State in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. Annual commemorations are also held by the Defence Forces at the National Memorial in Merrion Square during the summer months. In addition commemorations are held in military barracks during November.

A commemoration to honour deceased members of the Defence Forces was conducted in November 2015 at the National Memorial in Merrion Square on a pilot basis. Having considered the pilot, I am satisfied that deceased members of the Defence Forces are already appropriately remembered at dignified commemorations throughout the year and there is no requirement for a further public commemoration.

Arrangements are currently being made to award the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to all members of the Defence Forces who have served during this centenary year of 2016. It is a fitting tribute and thank you from the Government, on behalf of the people of Ireland, to our Defence Forces and it is my intention to recognise also the service of Members of the Defence Forces who passed away during 2016.