John Ellis
Ceist:275 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Defence the number of events and ceremonies which the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and he attended to celebrate the 50 anniversary of the FCA. [7451/97]
Written Answers - FCA Anniversary Celebrations.
The 50th anniversary of the formation of the FCA occurred on 6 February 1996. A number of events were held during the years to commemorate the anniversary. These included the following:
(1) The Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association presented a new perpetual 50th Anniversary Shield at the Reserve Defence Forces Orienteering Championships on 12 May 1996.
(2) The May, 1996, edition of An Cosantóir, the Defence Forces magazine, featured the 50th anniversary and articles related to the FCA were included in editions of the magazine produced throughout the year.
(3) The Reserve Defence Forces Shooting Competitions held on 25/26 May 1996, featured an archival and equipment display in addition to the inauguration of a new Combined Weapons Trophy sponsored by An Post. Minister of State Higgins attended the competitions.
(4) A special commemorative Callcard was issued by Telecom Éireann in June 1996 to mark the anniversary.
(5) The Eastern Command held a commemorative week-end in September 1996, which involved a parade of all FCA Units, a service for deceased members and an extensive equipment display in Cathal Brugha Barracks.
(6) The Southern Command held a Massed Bands Concert in the University of Limerick on 20 June to commemorate the anniversary.
(7) A Radio documentary featuring the FCA was broadcast by RTE on 3 and 9 October 1996.
(8) I presented a Commemorative Plaque to each of the 124 Companies of the FCA at a ceremony in the Curragh on 17 November 1996.
In addition to the foregoing, each Unit of the FCA organised appropriate events at local level to commemorate the anniversary.
John O'Leary
Ceist:276 Mr. O'Leary asked the Minister for Defence if he will give details of the main ceremony to commemorate the 50 anniversary of the FCA; and the members of the Government who attended. [7452/97]
The 50th anniversary of the formation of the FCA occurred on 6 February 1996. A number of events were held during the year to commemorate the anniversary. These included the following:
(1) The Reserve Defence Forces Representative Association presented a new perpetual 50th Anniversary Shield at the Reserve Defence Forces Orienteering Championships on 12 May 1996.
(2) The May 1996, edition of An Cosantóir, the Defence Forces magazine, featured the 50th anniversary and articles related to the FCA were included in editions of the magazine produced throughout the year.
(3) The Reserve Defence Forces Shooting Competitions held on 25/26 May 1996.