Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 April 2017
372. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will give consideration to providing retired Defence Forces personnel with the 1916 centenary commemorative medal; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18463/17]
View answerAs part of the Programme for Government, it was proposed that a commemorative medal be awarded to all Defence Forces personnel, Permanent (PDF) and Reserve (RDF) , who were recorded as being in service during the course of 2016. The 1916 Centenary Commemorative Medal is being awarded as a commemorative medal, personal to an individual’s service in the Defence Forces in the course of 2016. It is the case that even if a member of the Defence Forces has since retired from the Defence Forces, once they were recorded as being in service during 2016 they are eligible for the award of the medal.
I am advised by the military authorities that if the person referred to by the Deputy served in either the PDF or the RDF during 2016, he should make contact with Administration, Defence Forces Human Resources Branch who will process his request.
