Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 February 2017
657. Deputy Tony McLoughlin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will give consideration towards honouring and paying respect to the thousands of Irish soldiers that served along the Border during the Troubles in Northern Ireland by issuing a service medal to serving and retired Defence Forces personnel in this category; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8383/17]
View answerI wish to state clearly that the Government deeply appreciates and values the contribution of the many members of the Defence Forces who served along the border during the period we have all come to know as the ‘Troubles’ in Northern Ireland. I have no doubt that my predecessors in various Governments over the years share that appreciation and depth of gratitude.
There are currently two medals that mark the service of personnel with either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force. The medal known as the “The Service Medal” may be awarded to an officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the Defence Forces, or a member of the Army Nursing or Chaplaincy Service who possess the qualifying criteria for the award. The qualifying service for officers and members of the Chaplaincy Service and Army Nursing Service is 5,475 days satisfactory and continuous service. The qualifying service for NCOs and Privates is 3,650 days satisfactory and continuous service.
“The Service Medal (Reserve Defence Force)” (formerly known as the The Service Medal FCA and An Slua Muirí) was introduced in 1961 for members and former members of the Reserve and is awarded after 7 years service.
The award of either of these medals to qualifying personnel reflects the service given by those personnel to either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force as the case may be, and by extension the wider public, during the periods for which they served.
Whilst acknowledging the significant role of all Defence Forces personnel to the security of the State throughout the period of the ‘Troubles’, I am satisfied that these medals meet the need of marking service of personnel with either the Permanent Defence Force or Reserve Defence Force as the case may be, and I have no plans to introduce additional medals in this regard.
