asked the Minister for Defence how many serving members of the Defence Forces are holders of 1916 or Pre-Truce service medals; and whether, in view of the fact that the fiftieth anniversary of the Easter Rising will occur within the next two years, he will consider promoting every such holder to the next rank higher than that which he has at present, supernumerary to present establishment, as a gesture of salute to the memory of the Irish Republican Army in which they served.

No serving member of Na Buan-Óglaigh holds the 1916 Medal. There are 23 serving members who hold the Service (1917-1921) Medal.

I do not propose to adopt the suggestion made in the second part of the question.