Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Minister for Defence whether he has received the report commissioned to examine the height entry requirement for females and males into the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24178/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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I have recently received the military authorities' report, which I commissioned, on the minimum height standards for Defence Forces personnel. It was prepared in the context of encouraging more women to apply to join the Defence Forces and deals comprehensively with the complex issues relating to this matter. As such, it requires careful consideration.

In the light of this report, I will review the height requirement for entry to both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force, and I expect to be able to make a decision on this matter shortly. It is also my intention to publish the report in the near future.

Height is not the only issue to be considered in respect of encouraging more women to apply to join the Defence Forces and I have recently initiated some research in this regard. Tenders have been sought from companies willing to undertake research into the issue of recruitment and retention of women in the Defence Forces. The closing date for receipt of the tenders was 13 June 2006. It is intended that the research will test women's attitudes to military life and a career in the Defence Forces. I envisage that the research will include interviews with serving female members of the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force, as well as members of the public. The contract will be awarded for the research in the very near future.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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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.

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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While it may be correct for Deputy Timmins to state that the report was completed several weeks ago, I have only seen it in recent days. I have been busy doing other things and it may be that other people were also busy and did not hand it to me. I am engaged in consultations in this regard and can assure the Deputy that a decision will be made very quickly. I must resolve a number of difficult issues which arise from the report.

As for Deputy Timmins's other remarks, the Department has received consistent medical advice to the effect that injuries in the lower back and limbs arising from carrying heavy loads appear much more frequently in people of small stature. Some research was carried out on the average load-carrying requirements for Irish troops when on overseas duty and they are approximately the same as those for the United States Marine Corps, namely, approximately 126 lbs or nine stone. The average height and weight of a United States marine is in the order of 5 ft. 9 in. and 170 lbs, respectively.

I will consider the report over the weekend. I must discuss it with a number of people next week and I will make a decision very quickly thereafter. I hope it will be made before the House goes into recess.

Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Does the Minister agree that many nationalities have a limited height requirement? While I may be wrong, I understand the height entry requirement for the United States defence forces is 4 ft. 9 in. The Minister mentioned next week as a possible date for the decision. Can he provide Members with a final cut-off date in order that this issue may be put aside?

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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It is true that some armies, including the United States army, have significantly lower height requirements for entry than the Irish Army. However, the difference is that armies such as the United States army and the British army have a number of different divisions which are permitted to perform different tasks. Women do not have access to all activities whereas, uniquely, in the Irish Army, women are entitled to and are called on to perform the entire range of tasks performed by men. This is not the position in many other armies, especially those in which the height requirement is lower.

As for Deputy Timmins's request for a cut-off date, to the best of my knowledge, the Dáil will go into recess on 6 July. I promise that I will make the report available before 6 July and I will take a decision immediately afterwards.