Vol. 449 No. 4
226 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Defence, in view of Parliamentary Question No. 17 of 19 June 1991, in relation to an additional service medal for members of the second line reserve, the present position of the review. [3616/95]
Members of the second line reserve, which consists of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí, are awarded An Bonn Seirbhíse (The Service Medal) on completing seven years' satisfactory service.A bar is added to the medal on completing 12 years' satisfactory service and a second bar on completing 21 years' satisfactory service.
Service in the second line reserve is rendered on a voluntary part-time basis. Specific Defence Force regulations apply to the organisation and administration of that body. These provide for such matters as the assessment of conduct during service on a broader and more general basis than would be appropriate in relation to the Permanent Defence Force. However, members of the second line reserve and the Permanent Defence Force are treated similarly in that completion of a specified period of satisfactory service is recognised by the award of service medals and bars. The relevant periods required in the case of the second line reserve compare very favourably with those required of members of the Permanent Defence Force.
The question of an additional medal or bar in recognition of service of more than 21 years has recently been raised by the Reserve Defence Force Representative Association. The association, at a meeting held with the Department on 15 December 1994, undertook to provide definite proposals in respect of this matter. These proposals will be given full consideration when received in the Department.
