Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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656. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will instruct the military authorities to convene a military medals board to review the entitlement of the 155 men of A Company of the 35th Infantry Battalion, that served with the UN in 1961, to a medal for their service during the Jadotville siege; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8129/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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The issue of the award of medals to the men of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion was comprehensively addressed in 1965. A properly constituted Medals Board considered the various cases presented and made a decision that no medals would be awarded. The Chief of Staff of the day considered the decision of the Board and was satisfied with the findings. Subsequently, the question was raised again in a letter to a newly appointed Chief of Staff. He forwarded the letter to the original Medals Board and asked that they reconvene and review their decision. The Board indicated that the issues raised had received due consideration and that they were not prepared to alter their findings. On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Siege of Jadotville, I decided to issue a Unit Citation to honour the collective actions and bravery of the men of “A” Company. I organised and hosted a ceremony in Custume Barracks, Athlone on Saturday 17th September 2016 at which a Unit Citation was presented to the Company in recognition of their collective heroism and professional performance during the Siege of Jadotville whilst cut-off from support and reinforcements.

During the ceremony I presented a copy of the Citation to each member of the Unit or next-of-kin in the case of deceased members. This was the first time a Unit Citation was awarded within the Defence Forces and I was delighted to be able to formally recognise the brave actions of these men. In addition, a specially commissioned insignia will be provided to the members and the next of kin of deceased members of “A” company in the coming weeks.

These are awards that are used internationally by other militaries to recognise those Units that have served with particular distinction. I am satisfied that the events and happenings to date, in particular the award of a unit citation and specially commissioned Insignia, properly honour the collective bravery of the men of “A” Company.

Tony McLoughlin (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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657. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will give consideration towards honouring and paying respect to the thousands of Irish soldiers that served along the Border during the Troubles in Northern Ireland by issuing a service medal to serving and retired Defence Forces personnel in this category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8383/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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I wish to state clearly that the Government deeply appreciates and values the contribution of the many members of the Defence Forces who served along the border during the period we have all come to know as the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that my predecessors in various Governments over the years share that appreciation and depth of gratitude.

There are currently two medals that mark the service of personnel with either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force. The medal known as the “The Service Medal” may be awarded to an officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the Defence Forces, or a member of the Army Nursing or Chaplaincy Service 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 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 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.

Whilst 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 Reserve Defence Force as the case may be, and I have no plans to introduce additional medals in this regard.