Comhairle na Míre Gaile

Comhairle na Míre Gaile is a council established by the Government of Ireland to recognise acts of bravery which attempt to save life.^[1] It awards medals and certificates, and may also award financial compensation with the consent of the Minister for Justice.^[1] From 1945 to September 2010 it had awarded 10 gold, 68 silver, and 261 bronze medals; 1,468 certificates; and nine letters of commendation.^[2]

The council has seven members, of whom four constitute a quorum:^[1]

• The Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann, the chair of the council
• The Cathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann
• The chairperson of the Central Council of the Irish Red Cross
• The Lord Mayor of Dublin
• The Lord Mayor of Cork
• The chairperson of the Association of County and City Councils (formerly called the General Council of County Councils^[3])
• The commissioner of the Garda Síochána

The secretary of the council is a civil servant in the Department of Justice and Law Reform.^[4]

Comhairle na Míre Gaile was established by the Deeds of Bravery Act, 1947.^[1] The concept was introduced on a non-statutory basis in June 1945, when a committee was formed with the same members who would later form Comhairle na Míre Gaile. A supplementary estimate of £250 was authorised for the Minister of Justice to fund the scheme's inaugural year, including the travel expenses of honorees to Áras an Uachtaráin to receive their awards from the President.^[5] James Dillon proposed that the Council of State should be the competent body rather than a new committee.^[5]

Acts of bravery are eligible for recognition if committed in Ireland or on an Irish-registered ship.^[1] Defence Forces personnel are not eligible for acts performed while on active service; however the Defence Forces have their own medals and awards, beginning with the medal issued to participants in the Easter Rising in 1941, on its 25th anniversary. Gardaí are eligible,^[2] although the Scott Medal is the Garda Síochána's own highest award for valour. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) reached an agreement with the state in 1948 whereby Comhairle na Míre Gaile would not make awards to RNLI personnel and the RNLI would not make awards to others for deeds which had already been recognised by Comhairle na Míre Gaile.^[6]

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d e} Deeds of Bravery Act, 1947 Irish Statute Book
2. ^ ^{a b} "Citizens recognised for bravery". The Irish Times. 22 September 2010. http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2010/0922/breaking59.html. Retrieved 22 December 2010. 
3. ^ "History". Association of ounty and City Councils. http://www.councillors.ie/History.html. Retrieved 10 January 2011. 
4. ^ "Offices / Agencies associated with the Department". A glossary of terms relating to the Department of Justice and Law Reform. Government of Ireland. p. 4. http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/JELR/NamesandAddressesGlossary.pdf/Files/NamesandAddressesGlossary.pdf#page=4. Retrieved 22 December 2010. 
5. ^ ^{a b} Committee on Finance. - Vote 32—Office of the Minister for Justice Dáil debates Vol.97 cc.1716–29, 27 June 1945
6. ^ "Questions. Oral Answers. - Medal Award to Garda Sergeant". Dáil Eireann debates. 214. Oireachtas. 16 February 1965. cc.376–7. http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/1965/02/16/00027.asp.