The Irish government decided in 1947 that in recognition of the services performed by the mercantile marine during the emergency [1939-46], a medal with a ribbon should be awarded to seamen who served for a period of at least six months in Irish registered vessels during the period 3rd September 1939 to the 31st March 1946. A service bar is given in addition for each two years service over and above a period of six months, and a tunic bar is issued to each Seaman awarded a medal. In December of 1950 the following recommendation was submitted for approval within the Government "that in any case of bravery, death, disablement, the full award should be given even if the duration of service was insufficient to merit the full award". A document dated 3rd January 1950 entitled Department  of Industry and Commerce - memorandum for government, recognition of services rendered by seamen during the Emergency [1939-46] sets out the following criteria for entitlement to the Irish marine service medal:

[1] Service on Irish-registered foreign-going ships;
[2] Service on Irish-registered home trade ships;
[3] Service on Irish-registered decked fishing boats [over 15 tons net which  were registered under part 1 and within the meaning of sections 253 and 263 of the 1894 Merchant Shipping Act] this description covers trawlers,which took considerable risks when engaging in deep sea fishing.
[4] Any service on an Irish ship which resulted in death or disablement through belligerent action.
[5] It was estimated that 4000 seamen would qualify for citations and 3000 of this number would qualify for medals

Survivors and relatives of seamen who lost their lives on an Irish registered vessel during the period of the Emergency 1939-46 are entitled to file a claim for the marine service medal with the Department of Transport, Superintendent, Mercantile Marine Office, Room G26, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, Ireland. Tel : [00 353 1] 6783481 - Fax: [00 353 1] 6783489 - email mmo@transport.ie.

Enquiries about medal entitlement for service on British registered vessels during the war are dealth with through the Marine Safety Agency, Registry of Shipping and Seamen, Anchor Court, Ocean Way, Keen Road, Cardiff, CF24 5JW. Tel No: 029 2044 8800 - Fax No: 029 2022 8820. E-mail: rss@mcga.gov.uk