Matt Carthy (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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339. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if a person (details supplied) will be awarded a medal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39794/20]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The awarding of the Military Medal for Gallantry is provided for in DFR A9, which sets out the criteria and procedures for the award of such medals. These Regulations, and associated Administrative Instructions, require that any recommendations for possible awards must be made in accordance with the relevant procedures. Such awards are made on the recommendation of a Military Board appointed by the Chief of Staff for the purpose of examining and reporting on every recommendation for an award.

In the case of recommendations for the award of the Military Medal for Gallantry, such recommendations are time bound and should be made not later than 2 years from the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made.

There is no provision in the regulations to allow the Minister for Defence to make an award of the Military Medal for Gallantry other than on the recommendation of a military board appointed by the Chief of Staff, nor is there any mechanism for a case to be referred back to a military board for fresh examination.

Currently there are no plans to amend DFR A9.

The Deputy will appreciate that it would not be appropriate to comment on matters relating to specific individuals.