asked the Minister for Defence the reason recruitment of women to the Permanent Defence Forces has been suspended.
Written Answers. - Defence Force Recruitment.
383.
Recruitment generally to the Permanent Defence Force has been limited since 1981. In times of scarce resources, it is necessary to concentrate on building up the operational strength of the Defence Forces. Because of the non-combatant role of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Force recruitment has had to be confined to male personnel in recent times.