Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
450. Deputy Michael Lowry asked the Minister for Defence if a singular amendment can be made to Defence Force Regulation A9 to allow for the provision of a pandemic service medal for the Defence Forces (details supplied) given the acknowledgment of the significant contribution made by the Defence Forces during Operation Fortitude to the HSE and to the populace of Ireland during the Covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11722/22]
View answerAt the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, a Joint Task Force was established to coordinate the Defence Forces contribution to the whole-of-Government Covid-19 response. A wide range of supports have since been provided by the Defence Forces to the HSE as well as to other Departments and Agencies, including support to the ongoing vaccination programme. Currently the focus remains on dealing with the ongoing Recovery phase.
As the Deputy is aware, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces in line with Defence Force Regulation (DFR) A9, which sets out the qualifying criteria, delineates the procedures required for the awarding of Defence Forces Medals and sets out the various types of medal awards. Currently there are no plans to amend DFR A9 in relation to the introduction of new medals and the question of issuing a medal to Defence Forces personnel engaged in aid-to-the-civil-authority operations in conjunction with the Health Service Executive or in Operation FORTITUDE, is not under consideration at this point in time.
