John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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733. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the first and second infantry group that completed overseas service in the Democratic Republic of Congo will be awarded medals for their service; and if Defence Forces members that served in Cyprus will be acknowledged. [49887/17]

Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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In general terms, medals are currently awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas. Members who serve overseas on UN missions or UN mandated missions, subject to certain criteria, are currently eligible for the award of An Bonn Chosantóirí Síochána na Náisiún Aontaithe (United Nations Peacekeepers Medal). This medal is only awarded once to any individual, irrespective of the number of overseas missions that they complete during their career.

In addition to this medal, a member who serves overseas may also be eligible for the award of a mission-specific medal by the mission organisers.

The military authorities inform me that all Defence Forces personnel who were deployed on the overseas missions referred to by the Deputy received the appropriate mission-specific awards provided that they met the criteria laid down by the United Nations for each of the missions referred to and reflected in Defence Forces Regulations. The qualifying service period was 90 days in the mission area.

I am advised by the military authorities that any personnel who met the eligibility criteria and were not awarded the mission medal should contact the Defence Forces Ceremonial Branch.

It should be noted that last June I and the former Taoiseach, Enda Kenny TD, decided to award a medal to the men of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion and, in the case of those members who are deceased, to their next of kin, to give full and due recognition in honour of the courageous actions of the men during the siege at Jadotville in September 1961. This was an exceptional measure that recognises their bravery and courage during the unique circumstances of that siege. This was an initiative I had been working on for some time and I was privileged to be able to take the decision to award a medal to the men of “A” Company.