asked the Minister for Defence whether he is prepared to permit the enlistment of married men in the Defence Forces and, if so when he expects to make an announcement to this effect.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Enlistment of Defence Forces.
The age limits for the enlistment of men into the Regular Army on a normal engagement are from 18 to 28 years of age but, under the existing Regulations, a married man will not be enlisted unless he has special technical qualifications. As to the enlistment of men for the duration of the present emergency, it is the practice to enlist only single men between the ages of 18 and 35 years. An exception is, however, made in the case of married men with trade or other special qualifications in whose case the upper age limit is 48 years.