asked the Minister for Defence if he will consider granting a cash allowance to the holders of medals awarded for gallantry or where the medal is awarded posthumously to their dependants.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Gallantry Medal Cash Allowance.
64.
The provisions of Defence Force Regulations governing the award of the Military Medal for Gallantry and the Distinguished Service Medal did not contemplate the payment of a cash allowance to the holders of such medals or, where the decoration is awarded posthumously, to their dependants. It is not proposed to alter the position.
Would the Minister not agree that in other countries where a medal of this type is awarded a special payment is provided?
In some countries there is a very small cash payment with the medal.
Here we are worse than those countries. We give nothing at all.
That is the decision, in answer to the Deputy's question.
Would the Minister reconsider the matter? We will have to wait for a change of Government.
You will wait a long time.
We have been waiting a long time for anything good.
And you will wait a lot longer. We got over the two byelections.
(Interruptions.)
Arkle only won by a short head: 10,500 votes.