Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2023
102. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if he will review the decision to reject a submission advocating in favour of awarding a military medal for gallantry to a person (details supplied). [42532/23]
View answerDefence Force Regulation (DFR) A9 sets out the qualifying criteria required to be awarded such Defence Force Medals. The awarding of medals is a matter for the military authorities.
In general, medals are awarded to members of the Defence Forces on the basis of various criteria such as their length of service, for service overseas and for acts of bravery associated with such service both at home and overseas.
DFR A9 also delineates the procedures for the awarding of those medals to members of the Defence Forces. This regulation sets out the various types of medal awards. ‘Medal award’ serves as an overarching category and then various subcategories are further set out under each ‘medal award’. These subcategories are: classes of award, bar to medal, investigation by military board, time limit for award, and administrative instructions. The details provided underneath each of these headings essentially lays out the protocols for the awarding of these medals.
In accordance with Defence Forces Regulations, the award of medals for bravery is time-bound. Medals may not be awarded 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.
In relation to the specific case mentioned, I am given to understand that representation was made in 2018 to the Military Authorities in relation to a recommendation for the award of the Military Medal for Gallantry to five personnel including the individual mentioned,, who had served with C Coy 85 Infantry Battalion UNIFIL in 1999.
It was confirmed by the Military Authorities that no previous recommendation under the provisions of DFR A9 had been made in relation to the individuals named and that the recommendation fell outside of the timeframe as outlined above. On this basis, no further action was taken.
There is a requirement to maintain the credibility and integrity of the medals awarding system, the process for awarding medals, as provided for in DFR A9.
However, I have raised these matters with the Chief of Staff, in the context of the recommendations of the Independent Review Group on Jadotville namely to include the review of the system of awarding medals.
The matter of reviewing the process of awarding medals remains under consideration by the Chief of Staff. I would like to assure the Deputy that I will duly consider any proposals that may be forthcoming.
