Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Diversity is an issue for the permanent Defence Forces and for the Reserve. My understanding is that, as of 31 October, the effective female strength of the Reserve Defence Force is 199 members. We need a lot more than that. All recruitment campaigns will be focused on trying to ensure the Defence Forces reflect Irish society, which is as diverse and gender-balanced as it possibly can be. I suspect I will get an update on the office of reserve affairs later on. The plan was to have it set up within six months of the Government decision, which means that it needs to be done in the next couple of months.

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