To ask the Minister of Health whether any consideration has been given to providing formal recognition to the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service, perhaps in the form of a formal honour, to mark the work it continues to do and has done for many decades, including throughout the Troubles.

In November 2000, the Executive publically recognised the service of firefighters in Northern Ireland with a prestigious civic award from the Assembly. This was presented to the Chief Fire Officer in the form of a scroll of honour by the Speaker at a ceremony in Parliament Buildings in July 2001.

The award was the first of its kind and publicly acknowledged the challenging, dedicated and dangerous work firefighters carried out to protect the lives of the public during the previous 30 years, which included the period of the Troubles.