Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 May 2022
51. Deputy Cathal Crowe asked the Minister for Defence if he intends to introduce legislation to ensure that only members of the Permanent and Reserve Defence Forces and those engaged in legitimate historical re-enactment are allowed to wear combat uniforms. [23443/22]
View answerThe Defence Act 1954, as amended, prohibits the unlawful wearing of any Defence Force uniform or dress.
Section 264 of the Defence Act 1954 provides that it shall be an offence for any person (not being a member of the Defence Forces) to wear, without permission granted by or on behalf of the Minister for Defence, any uniform of the Defence Forces or any colourable imitation thereof. This prohibition does not apply in respect of the wearing of any uniform of the Defence Forces or any colourable imitation thereof in the course of a stage play or other dramatic representation or performance. The section also provides that a person found guilty by the Courts of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine of up to €1,270 or to a term of imprisonment, or both.
In view of the existing provisions in the Defence Act relating to the unlawful wearing of any Defence Forces uniform or dress, I have no plans to introduce new legislation in this regard.
