Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:166 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will award a long service medal to those in the Reserve Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5510/99]
Written Answers. - Defence Forces Service Medal.
Defence Force regulations prescribe that members and former members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí who have seven years' satisfactory service may be awarded An Bonn Serbhíse. A first bar to this medal may be awarded to members who have completed 12 years' satisfactory service and a second bar may be awarded to members who have completed 21 years' satisfactory service.
The Defence Forces review implementation plan, 1996-8, which was approved by Government in March 1996, provides for a special study of the Reserve to be undertaken during the lifetime of the plan. Accordingly, in November, 1997 I announced the setting up of a joint civilian-military steering group to carry out this examination. As part of the examination process the Chief of Staff had already established a military board to conduct a study of the Reserve. The question of the award of medals generally to members of the Reserve is being examined as part of this study.