Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

I realise the height requirement issue for females is only one among a myriad of issues pertaining to the difficulty in encouraging women to join the Defence Forces. Moreover, I realise the percentage of women who join the Reserve Defence Force is far greater than the equivalent percentage for the Permanent Defence Force. However, I regret the Minister has not presented a final decision to the House today. I tabled the question in anticipation that a decision would have been made, as the report has been in the Minister's possession for some weeks.

It is time to move on from the issue. Can the Minister give Members any indication whether he intends to drop the height requirement altogether or intends simply to lower it? If so, will it be reduced for both men and women? The Minister should give some indication of his intentions because I am sure the report makes a recommendation. While height requirements may have been an issue for Deputy Glennon when he played rugby in the second row or whatever, they are irrelevant to the requirement to be able to carry heavy loads of equipment. The only scientific evidence available shows that the body mass index is the only physical attribute of concern.

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