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.

The medal will be awarded for service of Irish personnel deployed on humanitarian missions.

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