asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the fact that this is the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Volunteers and the 25th anniversary of the integration of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil with the permanent defence forces, he proposes to issue a special medal to serving members of An Slua Mhuirí and of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil; his Department's plans to commemorate these anniversaries; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

It is not proposed to issue a further medal to members of An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and An Slua Muirí.

Proposals to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the formation of the Volunteer Force are under consideration in my Department.

Can the Minister indicate what form that might take?

An appropriate parade and perhaps a social occasion. The matter is under discussion with a number of members who were in the Volunteer Force at the time.

Is the Minister saying he does not propose to introduce any form of recognition other than a parade for this important occasion?

Two occasions are mentioned in the Deputy's question. To which is he referring in his supplementary? The Volunteers or the 25th anniversary of the integration of the FCA?

I am talking about the FCA.

I am informed that there will be ceremonies within units. There will be local unit commemorations. There will be command parades to mark the occasion. I also understand that the entire issue of An Cosantóir for October will be devoted to a special coverage concerning the formation and history and current events related to An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil and Slua Muirí.

Have the command brigades and battalion headquarters of the various units been advised of what the Minister's plans are in this regard?

That is a matter for the military authorities. They have indicated to me that suitable commemorative ceremonies will be held and I will leave it to them to make the arrangements with the unit organisations.