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Defence Forces

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 November 2021

Thursday, 18 November 2021

Ceisteanna (225)

Éamon Ó Cuív

Ceist:

225. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Defence if he plans to amend administrative instruction A10 in relation to the use of the national flag at funerals of deceased retired members of the Defence Forces to ensure that in all cases in which a deceased member had 20 years’ service with a satisfactory record the family of the deceased would be presented with the national flag at the graveside or at the crematorium as a mark of gratitude for their long service to the State; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [56737/21]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The military authorities have advised that the National Flag which drapes the coffin of personnel who die in service is presented to the next-of-kin at the time and place of burial or cremation. At present it is not custom for the National Flag to be presented to the next-of-kin of former Defence Forces personnel.

Administration Instruction A10 sets out that in certain circumstances, where the next-of-kin of ex-service personnel request to be presented with the National Flag draping the coffin, the General Officer Commanding the Brigade, the Defence Forces Training Centre, the Air Corps or the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Service may accede to such a request.

At present there are no plans to change the procedures currently in place.

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