Vol. 504 No. 1
55 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Defence if he will comment on the plain headgear worn by the Defence Forces in a ceremonial guard of honour; if he will introduce something more suitable for these special ceremonial occasions; if Ireland is unique in current practices among our EU partners; if he will set an examination in progress; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11260/99]
Defence Forces administrative instructions provide for the wearing of service dress No. 1 by non-commissioned officers and privates on guards of honour. The head-dress worn on these occasions, the black beret, is a component of this order of dress. The black beret is also worn on other ceremonial occasions. As there is no other type of head-dress issued to the ranks of company sergeant to private, there is no alternative available for guards of honour. I understand that similar head-dress is worn on ceremonial occasions by military personnel of other EU countries such as Germany, France, Belgium, Austria and Holland. The existing head-dress available to the Defence Forces for ceremonial occasions is considered suitable and acceptable and there are no plans to replace it.
