Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 1445: To ask the Minister for Defence his proposals to reduce the height restriction for female Defence Forces recruits; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28342/06]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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On 2 July, 2006 I announced in Government Buildings that I have reduced the minimum height requirement for entry into both the Permanent Defence Force and the Reserve Defence Force from 162.56cm (5'4") to 157.48cm (5'2") with effect from 1st September 2006.

This change, which applies to both males and females, will have the effect of increasing the annual recruitment pool of females from 60% to 90% and males from 97% to 98%.