Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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1737. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if his Department will issue a special edition of the 1916 commemorative medal to all veterans and retired members of Óglaigh na hÉireann. [1934/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Programme for Government, it was proposed that a commemorative medal be awarded to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent and Reserve, who were recorded as being in service in the course of 2016. The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal is being awarded as a commemorative medal, personal to an individual’s service in the Defence Forces in the course of 2016.

The awarding of the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal is a special acknowledgement from the Government to the members of Óglaigh na hÉireann, both Permanent and Reserve, who have served during this centenary year of 2016. The medals were specially commissioned to mark the role the Defence Forces played in the centenary year. It serves to honour the central role of the Defence Forces across all seven strands of the Centenary Programme throughout 2016. They have played an essential role in our national commemorations, whether at the Commemoration at the GPO and the Parade on Easter Sunday, the ceremonies to mark the execution of the Leaders of the Rising or the formal delivery, to primary schools in the State, of our National Flag and a copy of the Proclamation.

I met with the Veterans Associations on 15 December last, and while I reiterated to them that there are no plans to award the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to Veterans, it was proposed that a further meeting be held between the Department and the Veterans' Associations to explore alternative means of recognition including exploring further the Department’s existing proposal of issuing a Commemorative plaque.