Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 November 2005
17 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Defence if his attention has been drawn to the fact that a website (details supplied) is selling jewellery and other material bearing the title “Óglaigh na hÉireann”; if the owners of the site have sought permission for the use of the title “Óglaigh na hÉireann”; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31924/05]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe presence on this website of a range of items for sale bearing the title "Óglaigh na hÉireann" has recently come to the attention of my Department and the Defence Forces. Section 16 of the Defence Acts 1954 to 1998 provides that "It shall be lawful for the Government to raise, train, equip, arm, pay and maintain defence forces to be called and known as Óglaigh na hÉireann or (in English) the Defence Forces". Accordingly, only the Defence Forces properly established are entitled to use the nomenclature "Óglaigh na hÉireann".
No permission for use of the title "Óglaigh na hÉireann" on the items featured on the website has been sought from the Department of Defence, nor could such permission be given.
It is a matter for the Garda authorities in consultation with the law offices of the State to determine whether use of the title "Óglaigh na hÉireann" in the manner outlined by the Deputy is illegal. However, as no permission for the use of the name "Óglaigh na hÉireann" has been given, I would invite the leadership of the political party whose name appears on this website to ensure that this material is removed for sale on the site.
