Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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676. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to issue the 1916-2016 commemorative medal to veterans of the Defence Forces in recognition of their service to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21715/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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As part of the Programme for Government, it was proposed that a 1916 Centenary Commemorative medal be awarded to all Defence Forces personnel, both 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.

I met with the Veterans Organisations (Organisation of National Ex-Service Personnel (ONE), Irish United Nations Veterans Association (IUNVA) and Association of Retired Commissioned Officers (ARCO)) on 15 December last, and whilst I reiterated to them that there are no plans to award the 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal to Veterans, it was agreed that a further meeting be held between the Department and the Veterans’ Organisations to explore alternative means of recognition including exploring further the Department’s existing proposal of issuing a Commemorative plaque.

At my request officials from my Department met with representatives of the Veterans’ Organisations on Friday 17 February 2017. My officials proposed that a single presentation will be made to the Veterans Organisations of a commemorative plaque or framed medal with an accompanying citation in recognition of the significant contribution of members of the three organisations to the 1916 centenary commemorative events and their service to the State. The plaque or medal would have a bar with the term Veteran inscribed on it. 

The Veterans’ Organisations agreed to the proposal to recognise the contribution of veterans in 2016 in this way.  The Defence Forces have been asked to produce mock-up designs of both a plaque and medal which will then be shown to the Veterans’ Organisations for them to indicate their preference.  I expect that to happen shortly and a ceremony will be arranged thereafter for a formal presentation to the Veterans Associations.