Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 29 May 1990

Vol. 399 No. 3

Written Answers. - Air Corps/Naval Service Recruitment.

Patrick McCartan

Question:

42 Mr. McCartan asked the Minister for Defence the reason he has restricted new aeronautical engineer recruits to the Air Corps and electrical engineer officer recruits to the Naval Service, to male applicants only; if he intends to alter this policy on the next intake of these two recruit categories; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Defence (Mr. Lenihan)

Electrical engineers in the Naval Service are required to serve at sea and the limitation in regard to space on naval vessels makes it impractical for male/female crewing with separate accommodation for each.

I will review the position in relation to the possibility of recruiting female aeronautical engineers.