Vol. 416 No. 1
103 Mr. Ryan asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline (a) the number of good conduct medals that have been issued since the inception of the award and (2) the current criteria for issuing these; and if he will make a statement on the review of the issue criteria currently underway.
In the period 1988 to 1990 the good conduct medal was issued to 180 non-commissioned officers and privates.
In 1990 a review of the criteria for the award of the medal was initiated by the military authorities because the limit on the number of medals which could be issued annually — 60 — gave rise to a perception of invidious treatment. Certain proposals for the replacement of the good conduct medal by a new award have been drafted and further consideration of these in consultation with the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association is envisaged.
