Paul Gogarty (Dublin Mid West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 24: To ask the Minister for Defence if he will report on plans to recruit non-nationals into the Irish Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32044/05]

Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 32: To ask the Minister for Defence the steps being taken to broaden the membership of the Defence Forces and to recruit non-nationals to the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31916/05]

Joe Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 38: To ask the Minister for Defence his plans to recruit non-nationals into the Defence Forces to address staffing shortages; the precise areas where staffing shortages exist; when he expects to commence this recruitment programme; the level of uptake and interest he anticipates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31991/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 24, 32 and 38 together.

Entry to the Permanent Defence Force is either through the cadetship competition, apprenticeship competition, general service enlistment or direct entry competitions which are held to fill vacancies in specialist appointments. All applicants for each of these entry streams are required to meet qualifying criteria.

The question of the recruitment of foreign nationals to the Defence Forces is not a new one. Defence Force regulations have always allowed for the recruitment of foreign nationals to the Defence Forces. Overall, the number of foreign nationals who apply to enlist in the Defence Forces is quite small. The military authorities advise that their research shows that the reason for failure to enlist in the Defence Forces is as a consequence of not meeting the laid down enlistment criteria.

For a person other than an Irish citizen to be appointed as an officer of the Defence Forces, the special approval of the Minister must be sought. In such a case, and provided that security clearance has been obtained, I would normally recommend that such a person be commissioned to the Defence Forces.

The only area where there are currently staff shortages in the Defence Forces is within the Medical Corps. Three doctors, non-Irish citizens, have been appointed to the Medical Corps, one in 2004 and two this year.

The Defence Forces equality policy, which was produced and formalised some months ago, states the Defence Forces: are committed to the principles of equal opportunities in all their employment policies, procedures and regulations; will operate in an environment without discrimination in areas as provided by the Equality Acts; will ensure that the principles of employment equality are employed in recruitment, promotion, training and work experience; all regulations and administrative instructions concerning service in the Defence Forces shall be set out in a manner consistent with this policy of equal opportunity; and this policy will be reviewed with the Defence Forces' regulations on an ongoing basis by the Deputy Chief of Staff, support, to ensure compliance with best practice and to maintain a working environment that treats all members of the Defence Forces in a manner consistent with equal opportunities.

My Department and the Defence Forces are fully committed to ensuring that all who wish to do so are given the opportunity to join the Defence Forces.