Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I do not want to repeat points made by others, but we can do the easy one, in some ways, first. Dr. Mellett has given a long account of the external factors that restrict the ability to entice enough women into the Defence Forces. I am more concerned about what is done with them when they get in, and improvements that could be made in areas under his control.

The first issue on that is about the Naval Service. Women joined the Naval Service in 1995. There is not a single female officer of command or rank, with the word being that they get a bit sidelined when they have children. No female NCO has broken through the glass ceiling of chief petty officer. I suppose my first question is what Dr. Mellett is doing to push for the promotion of more women to top ranks - not just in the Naval Service, but across the Defence Forces - and why is the record of promotion so poor? What systems are in place for women with children? Dr. Mellett might also deal with whether he has heard of any instances of women being penalised, bullied or pushed out, whatever way one wants to put it, for having children, in essence, or is that something he can say with confidence does not happen?