Jack Chambers (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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61. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the status of the awarding of a medal (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25791/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that my Department has previously examined this case and decided to posthumously award an appropriate medal.

Given the significance of the posthumous award of a medal, the question arises as to whom the medal should be given. The normal procedure is that the medal is given to the next of kin of the deceased person.

My Department has been in correspondence regarding the matter of the next of kin for some time and has outlined the position and what is required. In the past week, some material, which requires consideration, has been submitted to the Department. Once this has been examined, my Department will make further direct contact with the person seeking the posthumously awarded medal.