Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The 2012 reorganisation and the abolition of the Western Brigade have further isolated a huge segment of potential female members who could manage a career without long-term commuting being forced on them. The Defence Forces have only one female colonel, Maureen O'Brien, and two female lieutenant colonels, Mary Carroll and Mairéad Murphy. I congratulate these officers on their promotions but will they be in isolation over the next few years? When is the next female promotion in terms of female officers likely to happen?

The Minister of State mentioned the reduction in overseas service from six to three months. It is said that operational requirements, overseas postings, training courses, career courses and the availability of development opportunities will be reviewed to ensure that they do not discriminate on the basis of gender or responsibility to one's family while retaining the integrity of the course and training requirement. Could the Minister of State outline what has been done by the Defence Forces in respect of this?

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