Vol. 545 No. 4
148 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women since the foundation of the State who have received funerals with full military honours in recognition of their service during the War of Independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30518/01]
149 Mr. C. Lenihan asked the Minister for Defence the number of women since the foundation of the State who were awarded a War of Independence service medal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30519/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 148 and 149 together.
Over 51,000 awards of the service medal relating to the War of Independence, 1917 to 1921, have been made to date. The number of women included in this figure is not readily available but it is considered that it would be relatively small.
Military firing parties were provided, on request, at the funerals of veterans of the War of Independence but the precise number of women veterans so honoured, although estimated to be small, is not known.
