Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 65 together.

I am keen to increase the number of women applying to join our Defence Forces. To facilitate this, with effect from 1 September 2006, I reduced the minimum height requirement for entry into both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force from 162.56 cm, 5'4", to 157.48 cm, 5'2". This change, which applies to both males and females, has the effect of increasing the annual recruitment pool of females from 60% to 90% and males from 97% to 98%. It is too early to gauge whether there has been a corresponding increase in the number of female applicants to the Defence Forces. However, I will closely monitor the situation in the coming months.

Height is not the only issue in encouraging more women to apply to join the Defence Forces and I have recently initiated more general research in this area. Following a tendering process TNS mrbi, an independent market research company, was awarded the contract to undertake research into the issue of recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces. The research will test women's attitudes to military life and a career in the Defence Forces. The research, which has commenced, will include interviews with serving female members of the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force and members of the public. The results of the research will inform policy in this area for the future.

The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for men and women in the Defence Forces, including the Army, the Air Corps, the Naval Service and the Reserve Defence Force, and to the full participation by women in all aspects of Defence Forces activities. Women are eligible, on the same basis as men, for participation in operational and ceremonial activities, for assignment to all military appointments, for educational and training courses and for promotion. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts. When considering how to encourage more female personnel to the Defence Forces it is important to bear this in mind.

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