Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 41, 73, 95, 98, 116 and 122 together.

Last July, while visiting Mellows Barracks in Galway, I spoke of my desire to see more women applying to join the Defence Forces. I indicated then that while much was already being done to encourage more women to apply, I intended to review the measures in place with a view to maximising the number of women applicants to the Defence Forces. At that time I pointed out that the number of females being enlisted each year is almost in direct proportion to the number applying, approximately 9%. An increase in the numbers applying should therefore be reflected in the numbers subsequently enlisted.

As I have already indicated to the House on a number of occasions, I commenced that review process on 5 August 2005 by writing to both the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform along with a number of outside organisations seeking their views and recommendations on how more women might be encouraged to apply to enlist in the Defence Forces. All the replies have now been received, the last on 17 January 2006, and are being examined. Officials, both civil and military, of the Department of Defence will shortly meet with representatives of each of the organisations who made submissions along with the Representative Association of Commissioned Officers, RACO, and the Permanent Defence Force Other Ranks Representative Association, PDFORRA. These meetings will consider the ideas and suggestions to see what, if any, improvements or changes can be made to the programme of recruitment to encourage more females to join the Defence Forces. I anticipate these meetings will take place over the coming weeks.

Since I raised this matter last July there has been considerable focus on the minimum height requirement. Indeed one of the submissions received in response to my letter of 5 August specifically called on me to abolish the height requirement. The current minimum height requirement for entry to both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force is 162.5 cm., or 5 ft. 4 in., for both men and women. It was set in April 2002 and is based on the professional advice of the medical corps and the experience of training units. The advice at that time was that, having regard to the nature of the job, the duties of military service and the training exercises undertaken by members of the Defence Forces, persons of shorter stature are more likely to incur back and lower limb injuries. A key element in military life is the need for personnel to maintain a level of fitness for combat readiness. Inherent in this physical requirement is the ability to carry heavy loads and execute physically demanding tasks in training and on operations. The personal load carrying equipment and personal weapon place considerable weight on the musculoskeletal system.

As I indicated to the House on 29 September 2005 I have asked the military authorities to report to me on the height requirement and I will consider all aspects of the issue in light of that report. However the height requirement is only one element of the overall matter of how more women might be encouraged to join the Defence Forces. In this context it is important we examine the range of possible contributing factors. To that end I intend soon to commission research into women's attitudes to military life and a career in the Defence Forces. I envisage such research including interviews with currently serving female members of both the Permanent and the Reserve Defence Force. The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women in the Defence Forces, including the Reserve Defence Force, and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities.

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