asked the Minister for Justice whether he is aware that it is the wish of all former members of the L.S.F. that emergency service medals should be awarded to members of the Garda Síochána, and particularly to those Gardaí who organised and trained the L.S.F.; and, if so, whether he will arrange to have the matter further considered in view of the general desire of the community that recognition of their excellent service should be expressed in this practical way to the Gardaí referred to.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Emergency Service Medals.
This matter was considered in 1944 when the scheme for emergency service medals was being settled and it was decided not to extend the scheme to the Garda Síochána. I reconsidered the matter recently, but I came to the conclusion that the decision taken in 1944 was the right one.
The Garda Síochána rendered excellent service to the community during the emergency, some of them by organising and training the L.S.F. and the majority by carrying out their ordinary duties in difficult circumstances. I do not think that any case could be made, however, for issuing emergency medals to members of the force, who during the emergency carried out only their ordinary duties, and at the same time I do not think that it would be right to distinguish between these men and the comparatively small number of guards who were called on to assist in the organising and the training of the L.S.F.
Would the Minister consider this aspect of the matter—that young men who were member of the force mentioned during the emergency and who have now joined the Gardaí are entitled to wear their medals or their ribbon on their uniform, and does the Minister not think that, as a matter of justice, the Gardaí who actually assisted in the training of the force should be entitled to wear the same ribbon and the same decorations?
That is an aspect of the matter that has not been considered.
Will the Minister consider it?
I shall.