asked the Minister for Justice if he will make a statement regarding the proposed appointment of policewomen, and whether such appointments will be made for the Cork City area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Policewomen.
The Government have decided in principle that women should be appointed as members of the Garda Síochána. At present the legislative and administrative measures required to give effect to the decision are being examined. Meanwhile I am not in a position to make a fuller statement. In reply to the second part of the Deputy's question the intention is to start off with a force of 12 policewomen in the Dublin Metropolitan Division and later, if the experiment proves successful, to have women police in the County Boroughs of Cork, Limerick and Waterford.