Skip to main content
Normal View

Tuesday, 29 Jan 2019

Written Answers Nos. 97-114

Legislative Process

Questions (97)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

97. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach the legislation, including heads of Bills, that has been sent from his Department to EU institutions before its publication during the period of the thirty-second Dáil. [4256/19]

View answer

Written answers

My Department has not sent any legislation, including heads of bills, to EU institutions before their publication for the period outlined by the Deputy.

Military Medals

Questions (98, 99, 100, 102, 103, 104, 105, 107, 108, 109, 110, 111, 112, 115)

John Brassil

Question:

98. Deputy John Brassil asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to fulfil the commitment given by his predecessor in 2017 to award medals (details supplied) for bravery to the veterans of Jadotville and the families of deceased members. [3763/19]

View answer

Ruth Coppinger

Question:

99. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will report on his correspondence with veterans and relatives of those who served at Jadotville; and if he will report on the awarding of distinguished service medals and military medals for gallantry. [4065/19]

View answer

Michael Healy-Rae

Question:

100. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will address a matter (details supplied) regarding veterans of the siege of Jadotville; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4263/19]

View answer

Jackie Cahill

Question:

102. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason soldiers who fought at Jadotville and were recommended for medals (details supplied) have never received same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3835/19]

View answer

Aindrias Moynihan

Question:

103. Deputy Aindrias Moynihan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if the medals recommended by a person (details supplied) will be issued to the 32 members of "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, including deceased servicemen, for their service at the siege of Jadotville in 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3951/19]

View answer

Jack Chambers

Question:

104. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he plans to award medals recommended for 29 men for bravery in action by a person (details supplied) to the veterans still living and posthumously to those deceased who served during the siege of Jadotville in 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3988/19]

View answer

Eamon Scanlon

Question:

105. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when he plans to award medals recommended for 29 men for bravery in action by a person (details supplied) to the veterans still living and posthumously to those deceased who served during the siege of Jadotville in 1961; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3992/19]

View answer

Joan Collins

Question:

107. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if medals for bravery will be awarded to persons (details supplied) in respect of the siege of Jadotville. [4059/19]

View answer

Willie O'Dea

Question:

108. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if medals will be awarded to the seven veterans and posthumously awarded to the 40 deceased veterans of the siege of Jadotville (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4097/19]

View answer

Thomas P. Broughan

Question:

109. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence when the soldiers involved in the siege of Jadotville will receive medals; his plans to award medals posthumously; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4150/19]

View answer

Brendan Griffin

Question:

110. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on a matter (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4194/19]

View answer

Catherine Murphy

Question:

111. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to award medals to persons who fought in the siege of Jadotville, as recommended by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4235/19]

View answer

Niall Collins

Question:

112. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he will consider awarding medals to soldiers who participated in the siege of Jadotville; the reason they have not been awarded to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4237/19]

View answer

Eugene Murphy

Question:

115. Deputy Eugene Murphy asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason the military medals for gallantry and distinguished service for 29 soldiers at the siege of Jadotville as committed to previously have not been presented; when the medals will be presented; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4366/19]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 98 to 100, inclusive, 102 to 105, inclusive, 107 to 112, inclusive, and 115 together.

The siege of Jadotville was a prominent event that occurred during Ireland's peacekeeping mission in the Congo in September 1961. "A" Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, took responsibility for the UN post at Jadotville on 3 September 1961. On 9 September, a large force of Katangese Gendarmerie surrounded them and early on the morning of 13 September, "A" Company came under attack. From 13-17 September, it endured almost continuous attack. The "A" Company was taken into captivity on 17 September and remained in captivity until finally released on 25 October 1961.

The issue of the award of medals to the men of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, was comprehensively addressed in 1965. A properly constituted Medals Board considered the various cases presented and made a decision that no medals would be awarded. The Chief of Staff of the day considered the decision of the Board and was satisfied with the findings. Subsequently, the question was raised again in a letter to a newly appointed Chief of Staff. He forwarded the letter to the original Medals Board and asked that it reconvene and review its decision. The Board indicated that the issues raised had received due consideration and that it was not prepared to alter its findings.

In accordance with Defence Forces regulations, the award of medals for bravery is time-bound. These may not be awarded in any case unless a recommendation is made through the usual channels to the Chief of Staff, not later than two years in the case of the Military Medal for Gallantry, and not later than four years in the case of the Distinguished Service Medal, after the performance of the act in respect of which the recommendation is made. Such awards are made on the recommendation of a Military Board appointed by the Chief of Staff for the purpose of examining and reporting on every recommendation for an award.

Over the past number of years, various representations have been received in my Department outlining the courage and bravery of "A" Company. All representations have been considered and responded to acknowledging their valiant actions while under siege in Jadotville.

A review was conducted in 2004 by military officers for the purpose of a broader examination of the Jadotville case. This Board recommended that the events of Jadotville and the contribution of the 35th Battalion be given recognition. In this context, a number of measures have taken place to honour and to commemorate the events at Jadotville and the very significant contribution of “A” Company and of the 35th Battalion, as a whole, to the UN Peace Support Mission in the Congo.

Recognition of this contribution over the years include:

A. A presentation of scrolls to "A" Company in 2006;

B. Portraits of Lt Col McNamee (35th Battalion Commander) and Comdt Quinlan (Company Commander “A” Company) were commissioned in 2006;

C. In July of 2010, the 50th anniversary of the first deployment to the Congo was commemorated in a highly publicised and well-attended event in Casement Aerodrome, Baldonnel;

D. A nominal roll of “A” Company, printed in copper, was affixed to the monument in Costume Barracks and was unveiled as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Jadotville affair in September 2011;

E. On the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the Siege of Jadotville, I decided to issue a Unit Citation to honour the collective actions and bravery of the men of “A” Company. This was the first time a Unit Citation was awarded within the Defence Forces and I was delighted to be able to formally recognise the brave actions of these men.

Furthermore, on 13 June 2017, the Government decided, as an exceptional step, to award a medal known as “An Bonn Jadotville” or “The Jadotville Medal” to each member of “A” Company, 35th Infantry Battalion, and to the family representatives of deceased members to give full and due recognition in honour of its courageous actions at the Siege of Jadotville. This medal presentation ceremony took place on 2 December 2017 in Custume Barracks, Athlone. This location is considered the spiritual home of “A” Company, and it is from here that “A” Company assembled in advance of its fateful deployment to the Congo.

I am satisfied that the events and happenings to date properly honour the collective bravery of the men of “A” Company and full and due recognition has been afforded to them in their honour.

Defence Forces Reserve

Questions (101)

Pat the Cope Gallagher

Question:

101. Deputy Pat The Cope Gallagher asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason reservists in the Defence Forces are not issued with gloves in line with the single force concept; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3705/19]

View answer

Written answers

I am advised by the military authorities that all Reserve Defence Force, RDF, personnel are issued, when appropriate, with gloves for State ceremonial events. I am also advised that the military authorities are in the process of amending the appropriate Administration Instruction (L3) to ensure that gloves are made available to RDF personnel who are engaged in appropriate levels of training. The requisite criteria in relation to eligibility to be issued gloves will be promulgated with the amended instruction.

Questions Nos. 102 to 105, inclusive, answered with Question No. 98.

Overseas Missions

Questions (106)

Clare Daly

Question:

106. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence whether a formal decision has been taken, either by the Defence Forces or him, to initiate a process that would see Army Rangers deployed to the MINUSMA mission in Mali; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4032/19]

View answer

Written answers

MINUSMA, the UN mission in Mali is authorised under Chapter VII of the UN Charter by the UN Security Council. It is a significant UN peace enforcement mission comprising both regular and special operations forces and high end capabilities.

Ireland currently has no Defence Forces personnel deployed to the MINUSMA mission. However, potential overseas missions are considered on an ongoing basis. The option to deploy a small contingent of Army Ranger Wing personnel to UN-mandated MINUSMA mission as part of a larger Special Operations Forces within the mission later this year has arisen. The Department and the Defence Forces are in the very early information gathering stage in considering this particular mission. This involves getting detailed information on the mission and its operations, consideration of the possible role which the Defence Forces may be able to undertake in the mission, how such a deployment fits with Defence Forces capabilities having regard to existing and potential commitments at home and overseas and a detailed threat analysis and assessment. This process has only just commenced and will take a period of time to reach a conclusion. On foot of the respective military and policy advice arising from this process, I will then consider the matter.

I should emphasise again that no decision has been taken yet and there is some way to go in the process before we reach that point.

Questions Nos. 107 to 112, inclusive, answered with Question No. 98.

Legislative Process

Questions (113)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

113. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the legislation, including heads of Bills, that has been sent from his Department to EU institutions before its publication during the period of the thirty-second Dáil; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4246/19]

View answer

Written answers

There are no pieces of legislation including heads of Bills which have been sent from my Department to EU institutions before their publication for the period of the thirty-second Dáil.

Defence Forces Pensions

Questions (114)

Kevin O'Keeffe

Question:

114. Deputy Kevin O'Keeffe asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the reason an Army pension will reduce in the case of a person (details supplied). [4266/19]

View answer

Written answers

Under the Defence Forces occupational pension scheme applicable to Non-Commissioned Officers, NCOs, and Privates enlisting in the Defence Forces before April 2004, 21 years is the minimum service required for an immediate retirement pension and gratuity, regardless of age. Under this "fast accrual" pension scheme, maximum retirement benefits accrue after 31 years. The 21-year pension, the rate of which varies according to retiring rank and other factors, is payable for the person’s lifetime.

Where qualifying service is more than 21 years, an "additional increment" is payable at a flat rate (generally €8.94 a week) for each year of service in excess of 21 years up to a maximum of 31 years of service. This gives a maximum additional increment of €89.40 weekly. However, under the "pre-April 2004" pension scheme rules, this additional increment ceases to be payable if and when the pensioner reaches the prescribed age for the contributory State Pension, that is, at ages 66 to 68 depending on a person’s date of birth. The question of a person’s entitlement to a State Pension is, of course, a matter for the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.

These arrangements are in accordance with the long established principle of integrating occupational pensions with Social Insurance benefits of employees who are in full-PRSI class. This includes NCOs and Privates who are fully insured for the range of social insurance benefits under the Social Welfare Acts, such as the contributory State Pension.

Integration means that a person’s entitlement to social insurance benefits is taken into account when calculating the rate of his or her occupational pension payable. The State Pension is regarded as part of the overall pension package payable to the individual. The integration principle applies right across the public service and, indeed, in many areas of the private sector as well as in other countries.

It might be noted that the method of integration for "pre-April 2004" military pensioners is more favourable than in other areas of the public service. In the public service generally, integration begins from the time the occupational pension commences payment, for example from the age of 60, when "standard accrual" pensions apply. However, these NCOs or Privates who serve 31 years having joined the Defence Forces between the ages of 18-20, can qualify for maximum retirement benefits payable immediately from ages 49-51. The integration process only begins for them when the State Pension becomes payable, for example, at the age of 66. Furthermore, the maximum personal rate of State Pension payable (€243.30 a week currently if under the age of 80) is considerably more than any reduction that could happen under the Defence Forces pension schemes by virtue of the loss of the additional increment on qualification for the State Pension.

Top
Share