Irish personnel who took part in rescue missions in the Mediterranean are to be awarded a new medal.

They are to receive the Defence Forces International Operational Service Medal.

The Minister of State for Defence Paul Kehoe announced the creation of the new award while visiting the crew of the LE James Joyce in Sardinia today.

A medal ceremony for all those who took part in Operation Pontus is to take place next month in Rosslare.

Minister of State Kehoe (pictured) said the medal would be awarded to members of the Defence Forces who served on humanitarian missions abroad.

“This is a specially commissioned medal…I look forward to presenting these medals to members of the naval service who have been on humanitarian missions in the Mediterranean,” he said.