asked the Minister for Justice how many serving members of the Garda Síochána are holders of 1916 or Pre-Truce service medals; and whether, in view of the fact that the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising will occur within the next two years, he will consider promoting every such holder to the next rank higher than that which such holder has at present, supernumerary to establishment, as a gesture of salute to the memory of the Irish Republican Army in which they served.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Garda Service Medal Holders.
99.
The number of serving members of the Garda Síochána who hold Military Service Certificates or 1916 Medals or 1917/21 Medals with Bar is 102. There is no record of the number of members who have, or who would be eligible to apply for, 1917/21 Medals without Bar.
The conditions that must be fulfilled by members of the Force to be eligible for promotion are prescribed in the Garda Síochána Promotion Regulations. There is no provision in these regulations which would enable the members in question to be promoted and it is not intended to amend the regulations to provide for their promotion.