Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

We sought proposals in the middle of last year. Most groups, apart from PDFORRA and RACO, responded but the responses did not advance the cause. A response that congratulates us on the idea is very different from one with concrete suggestions.

I propose to issue a tabular statement on the number of women working in the Defence Forces. The latest figures available show 9,837 males in the Defence Forces and 545 females. The position is somewhat better in the reserve, with 7,141 males and 2,433 females. Only 60% of females over 18 years of age were eligible to apply before the height requirement was reduced, making 90% now eligible. Misunderstandings exist in the female population about life in the Army despite the best efforts of recruiting officials in the Defence Forces. They produced literature and visited schools to explain what an attractive life it is.

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