‘Naval Service ceremony needs to be moved back to Cork’ – O’Keeffe

Cork East Fianna Fáil TD, Kevin O’Keeffe has stated his disappointment at the Minister for Defence’s decision to hold a ceremony for the awarding of the new Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal in his own county of Wexford, rather than in Cork where the vast majority of recipients live.

“This is both cynical, and foolish by the Junior Minister. Haulbowline is part and parcel of Cork. The vast, vast majority of those Naval Service personnel who took part in operations in the Mediterranean to save the lives of refugees come from Cork, or the South Munster region.

“Having the ceremony in Wexford forces them, and their families, to travel for no reason.”

“I’m calling on my fellow Cork TDs, in particular those supporting this government to intervene with the Minister, and have the location for the ceremony changed back to Cork, so everyone who wants to take part, can,” added the Cork East TD.

“It’s really important that the people of Cork get the chance to celebrate the heroism of our Naval Service personnel in their own community,” concluded O’Keeffe.