Anger at minister’s plan for nationwide medal ceremonies

PDForra has expressed anger at the news that the minister with responsibility for defence plans to hold medal presentation ceremonies all over the country for those who have served on migrant rescue missions.

The organisation, which represents enlisted men in the Naval Service, saw red when Minister Paul Kehoe announced that he was holding the first medal ceremony in Rosslare, which is in his home constituency, rather than at the naval base at Haulbowline, Co Cork.

When he refused to alter his plans and then announced that further such ceremonies would be held all over the country, it led to greater anger in PDForra ranks.

PDForra vice president, Mark Keane, said the natural place to present medals to crews who have served on migrant rescue missions in the Mediterranean Sea is in Haulbowline.

“This will put an extra financial burden on the families of those who are getting medals because the vast majority live in the Cork area and will have to travel to Rosslare and even further afield to attend these ceremonies,” Mr Keane said.

PDForra’s annual conference has already heard how poorly paid some sailors are, with many receiving Family Income Support.

Mr Kehoe said that the first medal presentation ceremony will take place for the crew of LÉ Eithne in Rosslare on Saturday, October 15.

The flagship was the first Naval Service vessel to conduct rescue operations in the Mediterranean Sea, arriving there for a three-month tour of duty in May 2015.

“I propose to have medal presentations across Ireland to promote the Naval Service to a wider audience and I think PDForra will realise this is the right thing to do,” Mr Kehoe said.

However, Mr Keane said that while they are grateful that the minister is to present special medals to the crews, they don’t see the need to drag their families all over the country for the ceremonies.

“While we recruit people from all over the 32 counties, nearly everybody settles in the Cork area. Therefore the most appropriate place for the ceremonies would be Haulbowline,” Mr Keane said.