Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 May 2019
62. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his plans to award a medal in 2021 to the Defence Forces and the national statutory and voluntary emergency services for their service to communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18778/19]
Amharc ar fhreagraThere are currently two medals that mark the service of personnel with either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force. The medal known as An Bonn Seirbhíse (The Service Medal) may be awarded to an officer, non-commissioned officer or private of the Defence Forces, or a member of the Army Nursing or Chaplaincy Service who possess the qualifying criteria for the award. The qualifying service for officers and members of the Chaplaincy Service and Army Nursing Service is 5,475 days satisfactory and continuous service. The qualifying service for NCOs and Privates is 3,650 days satisfactory and continuous service.
Members or former members of the Army Reserve and Naval Service Reserve qualify for an Bonn Seirbhíse (Na hÓglaigh Cúltaca) (The Service Medal (Reserve Defence Force)) after 7 years service.
The award of either of these medals to qualifying personnel reflects the service given by those personnel to either the Permanent Defence Force or the Reserve Defence Force as the case may be, and by extension the wider public, during the periods for which they served.
Civil Defence volunteers are currently awarded medals for service at 10 years, 20 years and up to and including 50 years.
Recognition of the contribution to the State by members of other national statutory and voluntary emergency services is a matter that is not within my remit as the Minister with responsibility for Defence.
