asked the Minister for Defence in relation to the Defence Forces the percentage of (a) officers and (b) other ranks who are female, at the latest date for which figures are available; the percentage of the planned intake of 500 recruits which will be women; if it is intended to review the status of women as non-combatants, or the definition of non-combatants in order to facilitate the greater intake of women into the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Female Members of the Defence Forces.
5.
(Limerick West): The percentage of female personnel in the Permanent Defence Forces on 31 May 1988 was as follows: Officers — 1.83 per cent; Other Ranks — 0.3 per cent. It is not intended to recruit female personnel in the intake of 500 which is due to begin shortly.
There are no proposals to review the non-combatant status of female personnel in the Defence Forces or the definition of non-combatants. The question of recruiting additional female personnel is reviewed periodically in the light of current strengths and commitments and in the context of prevailing financial constraints and the overall budgetary situation.
I am not entirely surprised at the Minister's response because these figures, numerically, have been given to us before. The percentage seems to highlight what must be, and I would ask the Minister if it is, a cause of major embarrassment and concern to him that the efforts of his Department to recruit into the armed forces a fair complement of females are completely inadequate. This amounts to tokenism of the highest order. Would the Minister indicate whether at any time in the future his Department intend to address this major problem and put right what is a glaring oversight and default on the part of the Department?
(Limerick West): Yes, it is under review and I hope to make a decision in the future. I should like to say also that applications for enlistment from female personnel are not being accepted at present. I have asked all the command manpower officers to maintain a record of such inquiries. It is an ongoing review. I am conscious of the situation and I hope towards the end of the year to have some decision made.
The practice within the armed forces to date has been to place female recruits in clerical and menial work positions. One of the major problems is the view of the Department that they can only be looked to for non-combatant duties. Would the Minister be disposed to look at the Garda Síochána where there is no difficulty whatsoever in employing women in some of the most difficult, dangerous and onerous positions at all levels within that force? Does the Minister not accept that this is something that will cause continuous embarrassment to him and to his Department, both at home and abroad, in view of the very low levels of recruitment of females and could he look at this particular aspect of it?
(Limerick West): This matter is being looked at. We are no different from most other armies throughout the world. The Deputy has asked me to look at this particular role. I am looking at it and a decision will be made in due course.
Can the Minister indicate whether he personally favours the recruitment of additional women into the Army?
(Limerick West): Yes.
The Minister has said that a decision will be made in due course. He said earlier in response to the original question that the decision has already been made that there will be no recruitment of females this year. Is that not correct?
(Limerick West): I said “at present.”
"This year" is what I think the Minister said. Is that not correct?
(Limerick West): The Deputy seems not to be listening or is not prepared to listen. What I said was that in the present intake of recruits no females would be recruited.
But there will be a female intake later on in the year.
(Limerick West): What I said was that the decision regarding the recruiting of females will be considered later this year.
Would the Minister not accept the point I make that he said a decision would be made later on this year? I said the decision for this year has already been made. He has confirmed that now by saying there will be no intake of females this year and that there will be no further intakes of either males or females in 1988.
This is leading to argument.
There will be an intake this year——
Let us have another question. Argument is not permitted at Question Time.