Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 May 2019
110. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to address correspondence regarding the awarding of military medals to persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21807/19]
View answerI wish to state at the outset that I recognise at every opportunity the quality of the service given by all members of Óglaigh na hÉireann at home and overseas, especially by those who paid the ultimate price for such service.
Members of the Defence Forces who have died in service are remembered annually in July on the National Day of Commemoration at the Royal Hospital Kilmainham.
As the Deputy will appreciate, there is a specific process in place concerning the nomination of an individual for a medal and this is set out in Defence Forces Regulations and associated Administrative Instructions.
These regulations and associated Administrative Instructions provide that a nomination for the award of the Military Medal for Gallantry (MMG) may be made and forwarded through the appropriate military chain of command to the Chief of Staff, who decides whether or not to appoint a Military Board to examine and report on a recommendation on the matter. Furthermore, there is a time limit of two years for submission of a recommendation to award a MMG.
I am informed that the Deputy Chief of Staff (Support) received a letter, dated 10 November 2018, in which it is proposed that five personnel be awarded the MMG. An examination by the Military Authorities of the case submitted revealed that the proposal fell outside the timeframe as outlined in the Regulations.
