Vol. 536 No. 3
136 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence his views on whether it was appropriate for a contingent of the FCA to act as pallbearers for the reliquary of St. Therese of Lisieux on its arrival in County Wexford; if he sanctioned their so acting; and his views on whether it is appropriate that the FCA so acts. [14273/01]
I am advised that military personnel throughout the world traditionally have devotion to St. Therese of Lisieux. It was therefore considered appropriate by the military authorities that members of a local unit of An Forsa Cosanta Áitiuil – FCA – would act as pallbearers on this occasion and the Defence Force regulations make provision for participation of this nature. Authority is vested in the military authorities under the Defence Force Regulation A.2 – Ceremonial – Part II – Military Honours, to sanction such participation.
