Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 369: To ask the Minister for Defence the strategies in place in his Department to encourage ethnic minorities to join the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7394/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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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. My Department is not specifically targeting the recruitment of ethnic minorities for the Defence Forces at this time. My emphasis at present is on ensuring that there are no barriers to ethnic minorities or foreign nationals joining the Defence Forces.

In addition the defence force regulations have always allowed for the recruitment of ethnic minorities and foreign nationals. I have, however, recently made changes to the cadet competition to broaden the entry criteria thereby making it easier for qualifying foreign nationals to apply for cadetships.

According to the Defence Forces equality policy, which was produced and formalised some months ago, the Defence Forces are committed to the principles of equal opportunities in all of their employment policies, procedures and regulations; will operate in an environment without discrimination in areas as provided by the Equality Act; the Defence Forces will ensure that the principles of employment equality are applied 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; this policy will be reviewed along 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 membership of the Defence Forces will evolve to reflect the diversity of the society in which we now live and that those who wish to join the Defence Forces are given the opportunity to do so.