105 tal-1990

L.N. 105 or 1990

t't1E!t IR·REPUBBL[KA ACT, 1975

(ACT NO. XXIX of 1975)

Rules for Hoooun. Awards and Decon.tiom, 1990

IN virtue o hhe powen conferred on him by section 26 of the Cieb

ir-Repubblika Act, 1975 and of all othe r powers him e nabling, t he

President of Malt a has, on the advice of the Prime Ministe r, made the

following rul es:-

GENERAL PROVISIONS

These Rules may be ciled as the Rules for Ho nours, Awards

and Decorations, 1990.

In these Rules, unless the context othelWise requires-

~ th e Act" means the Giefl ir-Repubblilr.:a A~t, 1975;

WIne ChlllKZllor" means the ChanceUor o f the Xirka and of the

O rde r established by the Act ;

"the Registrar" means the Registrar of tbe Xirka and of the

O rde r established by these Rules;

and expressions occurring also in the Act have the same meaning as they

have: in the Act .

The Chancello r shall -

(a) record all important prooceding.<i relating to the Xlrk.

and the Order and shall e nler SU(:h proceedings in books kept for

the purpose;

(b) ca use every appointme nt to the Xirka and the Order and

any tennination o f a ny such appointment to be publisbed in the

Gaze lle;

(c) on the directions of the Head of the Xirka and of the

Order, o rganise tbe investitures and other functions of the Xirka

and tbe Order.

In tenns of 5Ubsection (3) o f leClion 19 of the Aa, there shaU

be a Registrar of the Xirka and of the Orde r woo . hall, subject to the

powers conferred on tile OaanceUbr by leClion 21 of the Act -

(a) be responsible for conducting all corresponde nce

connected with tbe Xirka. and the Order, other tMn

correspondence exchanged directly between the Prime MiniJter o r

Ministe rs and the President, aOO for making IUch record of it a.s

may be necessary;

(b) ensure the safe custody of all documents relating to the

Xirka and the O rde r;

(c) maintain tbe reconl$ o f all Medals of tbe Republic

awa rded in terms of the Act; and

(d) maintain records of all authorisations given in terms of

section 29 of the Act.

'The Secretary to the Cabinet shaJl-

S.

Staetory ID ....

Cobinet .

(a) cause every award o f a Medal of the Re public and any

revocation of any such award to be published in the Gaze tte; and

( b) cause all authorisations given in lerms o f see1Km 290f the

Act to be pu bl ished in the Gazette.

INSIGN IA. MEDALS AND RJBBONS

(a) jiehu h5ieb li kull gholja la' Midalja tar-Repubbli ka u kull

revok a la' xi ghotj. bhal dik jigu pubbli kali fit-Gauetta : u

(b) jiehu hsieb li I-awtoriuaujonijiet koHha mogl'llij a skond

[-artik ol u 29 la' I·An jigu pubblikati fiI-Gazzetta .

INSINJA, MIDAU I U iJG ARELLl

The Insignia of the Xirk!! shall consist of -

l";pIo.

(a) A Breast Star in the form of a multirayed sun measuring

89mm in diamete r and having fifty siJI points. In the cent re and in

relief the re i, a represe ntation o f a Maltese watch tOwer (gardjola)

on a backgrou nd of sky·blue enamel, and the Whole is contained

within an oval white enalllelled border with Ihe mollO and the name

of the Xirlr.a, ~Gl\.all·gid tal· Mallin" and "Ciel't ir-Repubblika "

inscribed in gold. The complete oval cc ntre is partly contained

within a border of green e namel o live leaves and is surmounted by

a falcon with outstretched wings and holding a scroll in its claws

reading ~ 1 97Sw;

(b) A Sash Badge which is an enlarged version of the ce ntre

piece contained on tbe Breast Star and measuring overall l02mm

by 70mm approximately;

(c) A Sash, l02mm wide, incorporating a wide band of red.

90mm in width. between narrow white stripes measuring 6mm, the

whole having a moire effecl. When lbe Insignia are worn by a lady

the sash measu res 63.5m m in width.

'The Insignia o f the Order s.hall consist o f -

tmil;tlio.

(I)

For Companions of Honour

(a) A silver rayed Breast Slar, SOInm in diameter, with a

superimposed silve r gilt and enamelled Maltese Cro5s, 70mm in

diame ter, upon which is superimposed an enamelled Shield

showing an heraldic reprcsc ntation of the National Aag o f Malt •.

surmounted by a silver gilt mural crown with five turrets.

surrounded by a green enamelled wreath of olive and palm tied in

base wit h an e namelled white ribbon backed with red; and

(b) A Sash Badge of similar design bUI without the raycd

backing, 70mm in diameter, suspended from a sash l02mm wide

consisting of a red central stripe between two blue stripes all in

equal proportions and having a moire effect. When the Insignia are

worn by a lady t he sash rneasurC$ 63.Smm in width .

(2) For Companions

(a) A Breast Star, 70mm in diame ter, limilar 10 tbat o f the

Companion of Honour , but wilhoullhe Tared backi ng; a nd

(b) A Neck Badge. similar in design 10 the Breast Slar bUI

57mrn in diamete r. suspended from a neck riband similar to the

Sash o(Companionsof H onour but !8mm in width . When worn by

a lady a riband o f 32mm is fashioned into a bow with tai ls.

(3)

For OffICers

A Breast Badge similar to the Neck Badge of Companio ns but

4Smm in diameler, SU5pended from a riband si mila r 10 tbe Sash of

Compan iOIl$ of Honou r hut 38rnm wide . When worn by a lady the

riband is fashioned into a bow wi th tails.

(4)

For Members

A Breast Badge similar to that ofOrflccl'$ but with the Maltese

Cross in silve r instead o f enamel.

The Midalja gI'Iall-Olubija lakes Ihe form of a silve r medal

40mm in diameter . The obverse depicts in re lief the Emble m of Mal ta

superimposed on a representation of the nI)'5 o f the sun . The revenc

contains in relief. and su nounded by a wreath. a geographical

representation of the Maltese Islands below which is the inscri ptioll

~GhaJl-Olubijaft . all superimposed on a representation oftbe nI)'5 ofthe

sun . The whole is suspended from a 5CTOll-like bar carrying in relief the

year of instit ution " 1975" . The medal is suspe nded from a riband 32mm

in width being half red and half white, having a moire effect. When worn

by a lady the riband is fashioned into a bow with tai ls.

The Midalja gI'Iall..Qadi tar-Repubblika takes the form o f a

five-pointed white enamel star 41mm in diameter, with Huted or

bevelled rays within the five angles and with the uppermO!;t point o f the

staroontaining the date 1975 in gold. The obvenc oontains the Emblem

of Malta in relief. Th~ reverse of the medal contains. surrounded by a

wreath, a geographical representation of the Mal tese Islands and tbe

inscription MGhall..Qadi tar_ Repubblika ft in relief. The medal is

suspended from a riband 32mm in width being half white and half red.

having a moire effect. Whe n worn by a lady the riband is fashioned into

a bow with tails.

Rules concerning the design and the awardi ng of National

Com memorative Medals shall be made for each occasion that an eve nt

is to be commemorated.

11 . The Long and Efficient Service Medal shall be ci rcular. in '--JMdElliOnt

cu pro-nickel , and 36mm in diamete r, bearing on the obverse the _104e<W.

Emblem o rMal la in relief and on the reve rse in reticflhc Maltese Cross

within a wreath of lau rel enci rded by the words -Oha! $el'\'izz Twil u

Effi*nli~; the whole is suspended from a bar. The meda l is suspended

from a riband 32m m in width as follows

(I)

For the Anned Forces of M alta five equal pans, the first

red and the second blue, the third subdivided into red , blue and red, the

fourth blue and the fifth red;

(2) Fo r the Malta Police Force five equal pans, lhe fir.ll

white and the second blue, the third subdivided inlo while. blue and

white. the fourth blue a nd the fi fth white;

(3) For the Malta Priso n Service five equal pans, the fint

grey a nd the second blue, the third subdivided inlo grey, blue and grey.

th e fourth blue and the fifth grey;

(4) Oasps. where awarded , shall be attached to the riband .

and shall be in the form o f a pl ain cu pro-nickel bar Sm m in height with a

mural c;mwn in the ce nt re .

Q UALIFYING SERVICE FOR LONG AND EFFIC IENT

SERVICE MEDALS

(I) Long and Efficie nt Servicc Meda ls sha ll be awarded. to 0I0a!~

all serving members of the Armed Forces of Malta . the Malta PolICe .. rvq.

Fo rce and the Malta Prison Servicecompleting an aggregate of 18 years

efficie nt servicc with irreproachable characte r and conduct th rougllout .

(2) Qasps are to be awarded following an addi tional

aggregate of allQthe r 7 yean and then allQther 5 yean effkient service

with irreproachable character and conduct throughout.

(3) Service in any of the above disciplined forces. including

the fo rmer Malta Terri tori al Force. 8.5 well as the forme r Admiralty

Constabulary. the Civil Defence Corps and any other disciplined force

absorbed by any of the for~ listed in subsection (4) o f section 16 of the

Act shall be conside red as qualifying semce.

(4) The officen com manding the disciplined forces shall

recommend only th()!;e who have proved themselves in eve ry way

wonh y of this distinction d uring the whole of thei r se rvice.

WEA RING OF INS IGN IA . ME DALS AND RIBB ONS

( I ) Breast Stanofthe Insign ia o f the Xirka and oft he Order MotIoocIot

shall be worn pinned on the left side of the ooat or oute r garme nt . The ;

Sash shall be worn over tll<: right shoulder resting on the left hip; and the

Sash Badge is worn suspended from the Sash.

(2) The Neek Badge of the Order shall be worn suspended

from a riband around the neck .

(3)

Medals shall be worn on the left breast.

(4) Ribbons may be worn without the Insignia or Medals on

appropriate occasions. These shall be the same as the ribands prescribed

fo r the Insignia Of Medals. but shall be approxi mately IOmm in depth.

(S)

On appropriate occasions -

(a) Miniatures of the Insignia or Medals may be worn and

tll<:se shall measu re approximately 18mm in diill1leter, with the

ribbon 16mm in width;

L..apel badge5 denoting the Insignia may be worn as

(b)

follows

(i) Membersofthe Xirka: iI silver Maltese watch towe r

(gardjolll) on a rosette, IOmm in diameter. made of red fabric

with two thin white lines cutting across the red;

(ii) Companions of Hono ur, Companiollll and Officers

of the Order: an enamelled white Maltese Cross upon si lver

gilt edging on a rosette , IOmm in diameter, made of blue fabric

with two thin red lines culting across the blue;

(iii) Memben of the OTder: a rosette, lOmm in

diameter, made of blue fabric with two thin red lines CUlling

across tbe blue.

(I) Insignia of the Xirka and of the Order and medals shall

be worn in the following order-

(a) Insignia of the Xirka

(b) Insignia o!the Order

(c) Midalja ghall-Qlubija

(d) Midalja ghall-Qadi taf-RepubbLika

(e) National Commemorative Medals

(l) Long and Efficient Service Medals

(2) A Maltesecitizen shall not, in M3lta, wear the insignia of

any order or any decoration of a co unlryother than Malta . even though

such insign ia are or decoration is recognised in tennsof SC(:tion 290fthe

Act , unless he wears such insignia or deooration after the insignia or

afte r th e medals awarded unde r the Act

Provided that a Maltese citizen attending an official function

o f the Head of a foreign State or Sovereign O rder, or of the Head of

Government of a foreign State or of a Sovereign Order. or o f the

representative of a foreign State or Sovereign Order accredited to

Malta, at which the wearing of the insignia of orders and decorations is

customary may, as an act of cou rtesy to his host , give precedence to the

insignia of orders or decora tions of that State o r Sovereign Order.

lNVESTITIJRES AND PRESENTA n ONS

(I) Ap]Xlintments to the Xirka and appointments to or l~-UO""',

promotions within the O rder, as well 8$ awards of Medals, with the

ellCeptiOn o f Long and Efficient Service Medals, shall normally be made

by the President at a formal ce remony of investiture.

(2) The President may.lKIwever. on the advice of the Prime

Ministe r, delegate a Ministeror the principal diplomatic representative

of Malta in a foreign country to make the appointment, promotion or

award in his name .

(3) When presenting the Insignia or Meda l to the recipi ent.

the President shall address him liS follows

MO n behalfofthe Government and people, I confer on you -

dl~r

the Insignia of the Xi rka ta' Gieh ir~Repubblika .

or the Insignia of a ......... (/lO~ appropriote grade) of the

Nati onal Order of Me rit .

or the Midalja ghall· ... .. ... .. . (whichevl!r is appropriDlt)

or the National Commemorative Meda l to mark .. ..... . .. . w.

according to the appropriate form.

(4) When the Insignia or Medal is being awarded in the name

of the Presiden t the recipie nt should be addressed as follows

" In the Rame of the President of Malta, a nd Ofl behalf of the

Governmen t and people of Malta. 1 confer on you -

either

the Insignia of the Xirka ta' Gieh ir-Repubblika.

or the Insignia o f ........... (M~ oppropriole grode) of the

National Order of Merit.

or the Midalja ghall· ....... . .. . (whichevu is oppropriOlt)

or the National Com memorat ive Medal to mark .... .... ... w,

according 10 the appropriate form.

(5) Together with the Insignia the reCipient shall be

presenled with the instrument of appointment or promotion. signed,

countersigned and sealed liS provided for in section 25 of the Act.

(6) Whenever the advice to the Preside nt fo r the

appointment of a perwn 15 a me mber of the Xirka or of the Orde r

contains, or is acoompanied by. a citation concerni ng the recipient , such

citat ion sha ll be read ou t by the Cha ncellor (or by such othe r pcrson as

may be appropriate in the ci rcumstances) immediately before the

conferment of the Insignia. The citation shall a lso be recorded in the

appropriate register.

(7) Together with the Midalja ghaU-Qlubija there shall be

presented to the recipient the ci tation o f the act of bravery _ Such citation

shall be read out immediately before the presentation of the Medal. In

the casc of othe r Medals . n appropriate certificate shall be presented .

16_ (I) long.nd Efficie nt Scmce Medals shall normally be

p£esented by the Minister responsible for the particular disci plined

force _

(2) The o ffice r commanding tbe fo rce may. howeve r, be

delegated by the Minister to represent him.

TERMINATION OF MEMBERSH IP AND REVOCA TlON

OF AWARDS

(I) U-Midalji glial Semn Twil u Effitjenti glIandhom

norm al menl jigu pre:1en tati mill-Ministru responsabbli gl'l all-korp

dixxiplina l partikolari.

(2) L-uffitjalli jikkmanda I-korp jisla' , iida. jip delegal mill-

Minislru bie:t jirrapprete nlah.

TEMM TA' SMUBIJA U REVOKA TA' GMOTHET

( I ) A mot ion for a Resol ution of the ~I ouse of

Represe ntatives for the termination of membership or revocation of the

award or a medal in teons of paragraph (c) of subsect ion ( I ) o f section 23

o f the Act shall state tbe grounds on whkh the: motion is based.

(2) Whenever notice is given unde r the Standing Orders of

lhe: House of RepresentativC5 o f. motion 15 is referred to in paragraph

( I) o f this rule, tbe Oerk oflhe House shall . without delay , send a copy

o f the motion 10 the Members of the House, and cause another copy to

be SC l"lled on the person named in the motio n .

(3) Where the person named in the motion resides in Malta,

th e scl"llice of a copy of th e mo tion shall be effected as provided in

subsection (3) of section 5 of tbe Ho use of Representatives (Privileges

and Powers) Ord inance; and where the person named in the motion

resides abroad, tbe service shall be effected by letter sent by regiMered

mail to his last known private or offici al address and the copy shall be

deemed to have been duly served on the day im mediately succeeding

tbe day on which the letter wou ld be received in the o rdinary course by

p:tSt; and in proving such service it shall be sufficienllo prove thal the

leller containing a copy of the motion was properly addTC5SCd. and

posted.

(4) The Resolution shall not be moved in th e House before

sufficient time has been al lowed to the pe rson named in the mOlion 10

prepare his defence and 10 appea r before the !-louse; but ill the case ofa

person residing in Malta a period of seven days shall be deemed to be

sufficient for the purposes aforesaid.

(5) The person named in the motion shall be given an

opportunity to appear before the House and to defend himself; he may

also be assisted by an advocate or by a friend .

(6) ]fthe Resolution is passed the Oerk shall forward a copy

thereof to the President who shall thereupon teoni nate the

appoinlment, or revoke Ihe award, as the case may require, by means of

an inslrument sealed wi th the seal of the Xirka o r of the Order as

appropriate, and shall cause notice thereof to be given to the person

named therein.

(7) Upon the teonination of an appointment or the

revocation of an award as aforesaid, the Cha ncellor or Secretary to the

Cabinet, as the case may be, shaH cause the appropriate entries to be

made in the registers and shall publish the notifiea tion of such

termination or revocation in the Gazelle.

FOREIGN HONOU RS AND DECORA nONS

A request for Ihe written authority of the President required !l<~ ""

by section 29 of the Act shall be made in writing and shalll>e referred 10 authority.

the Chancellor. It shall contain al! the relevant particulars of the

honour, award , decoration, membership or office in tended to be

bestowed and of the in tended recipient. and shall be signed by the

principal diplomatic re presentative of Ihe State or Sovereign Order

requesting the authority of the President or by such other officer of such

State or orde r as may be specially authorised for the purpose.

SEALS OF TIl E XIRKA AND OF TIlE ORDER

(I) The Seal ofthe Xirka shall be a circular seal consisting of 50 ....

a representation of a Maltese watch towe r (gardjola) within a border

con taining the wo rds "a lE'" IR-REPUBBLlKA - MALTA·'.

(2) The Seal of the Order shall consist of a circular seal

oonsisting of a representation of tile Sash Badgeof a Companion of the

Order as described in subparagraph (b) of paragraph ( I) of rule 7 of

these rules , within a border containing the words kVIRTUTE ET

MALTA ~.

CONSTANTIA -

The Gieh ir-Repubblika Ru les, 1975 are hereby repealed.

0._",'"

,..biished

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