asked the Minister for Justice if he will make arrangements whereby the minimum age for entrants to the Ban-Gharda will be similar to that applicable to entrants to the Garda.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Ban-Gharda Entry Age.
11.
It is intended that a number of matters relating to the statutory requirements for entry to the Garda Síochána, including the question of the minimum age, will come under review fairly soon, but not before the next entrance examination, which has already been announced, has been held. I cannot say whether there is any likelihood that the present minimum age of 20 years for Ban-Ghardaí will be reduced.
Does "fairly soon" mean that it will happen in the near future or the distant future? When does it mean?
It is an imprecise phrase to indicate that the review will not take place in the distant future.
Could I try to tie the Minister down? He is in the habit of saying that things will be done fairly soon which, in fact, are not done. Will it be done within the next 12 months?
I expect so.
I hope the Deputy will not engage in argument at Question Time.
I would not dream of arguing.
Could the Minister say why there should be a difference between the entrance age for boys and girls when it is generally accepted that girls mature earlier than boys and that some of our laws, such as that relating to when a person may legally marry, would indicate this?
I cannot see any a priori logical reason for it. Apparently, it is a matter of assessment that a girl of 18 would be immature, perhaps because of her sex, to undertake the duties of a Ban-Gharda and that it would be preferable to recruit an older person——
More hardened?
Not necessarily more hardened.