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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 25 May 1950

Vol. 121 No. 5

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - L.D.F. Medals.

asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the volunteers who served in the L.D.F. during the emergency are extremely disappointed at his decision not to issue them with the Soldiers' Ribbon, medal and bar similar to that given to Army personnel; and, if so, if he will review his decision in this matter.

Representations have been made to me on behalf of members of the former L.D.F. to the effect that, as their service was military in character, they should have received the same Emergency Service Medal ribbon as members of the Defence Forces. I have explained in detail to the organisations by which the representations were made that the distinction between the two types of ribbon issued with Emergency Service Medals was not in any sense an invidious one. The distinction was between service in the Defence Forces on the one hand and service in the auxiliary services on the other. I do not think that, in view of my explanations, any feeling of disappointment now remains. I have also explained that it would be most difficult at this stage to make any change, and I hope that I have satisfied the organisations that, in point of fact, a change is not necessary.

The representations related to the ribbon only and not to the medal or bar. The medal and bar are similar in design for all services, the only difference being that each service has it own name inscribed on the reverse side of the medal.

I might add that the suggestion to make a distinction in the colours of the ribbons of the medals for the Defence Forces and the Auxiliary Services originated in 1945.

In view of the fact that these people volunteered as soldiers and were prepared to do all the work of soldiers, does not the Minister feel that they are entitled to a soldier's medal and recognition as soldiers as distinct from a civilian's award?

I think my answer to the question as read and considered answers that supplementary. There is no such thing as a soldier's medal or a soldier's ribbon. That is the propaganda that is going around. The medal is the same in every case. The ribbon differs, and the differentiation is not between soldiers and non-soldiers; it is between paid people and voluntary or unpaid people. What is referred to as the soldier's medal is the one issued to nurses, to chaplains and to people of that kind who would not be allowed to fight. That is the one issued to them because they are paid. The other ribbon with the broader white is issued to the voluntary or unpaid services. If I had a choice myself, I would be very proud to be able to show that the service I rendered was voluntary and unpaid. I would say further that my reference to the date of the decision does not affect my view. I entirely approve of the decision.

Do I understand from the Minister that he has explained that to the representatives of the organisations concerned? I gathered from the Minister's reply to another question yesterday that about 90,000 have declined to apply for the decorations because of their disappointment.

I do not want words put into my mouth. I never stated, as far as I know, that 90,000 declined to apply. I stated that 90,000 who served had not applied. There is a very big difference. Every day that we move around, we are made aware of the fact that ex-members of the L.D.F. do not know that they are required to apply. There was, in fact, a public advertisement in the papers on behalf of the L.S.F. that they should not apply and that no application was necessary. I think the Deputy and other Deputies could assist me in calling attention to the fact that members of the L.D.F. have got to apply and that when they apply they will get their medals and the 90,000 will fade away.

The Minister's reply to the questions to-day may help considerably on that point.

And the supplementaries.

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