Vol. 419 No. 9
28 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the current position regarding the carrying of weapons by female members of the Defence Forces; if any changes are planned, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
38 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence when it is expected that the Naval Service will be in a position to start accepting female recruits, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 28 and 38 together.
All members of the Permanent Defence Force, both men and women, are trained in the use of firearms. However, while women perform armed security duties within barracks, it has been the policy up to now that they do not undertake duties of an operational nature, for example, security duties in aid of the civil power.
As I announced in this House on 14 May 1992 when introducing the Defence Estimate, the Minister made a decision in principle to end the restrictions which prevent women from serving in all areas of the Defence Forces. Detailed planning is now underway to implement this major change in the status of women in the Defence Forces.
My question asked specifically when it is expected that women will be recruited to the Naval Service. Can the Minister of State indicate whether that might take place during the current year?
I doubt very much that it will take place this year because of particular difficulties encountered within the Naval Service.
While welcoming any news that this invidious discrimination on the part of the Government against women personnel of the Defence Forces will be ended would the Minister of State say whether the Government recognise that to date, the restriction on women participating in active service represents major discrimination against them in terms of promotion? Would he say whether, in the interim, the Government have any plans to allow women participate fully in Defence Forces' activities bearing in mind that discrimination against them in the context of promotion.
The Deputy can be assured that that is the reason the Government and Minister have taken this decision, recognising that, among other things, women soldiers were being discriminated against with regard to their promotional prospects. The Government intend moving on this in an endeavour to ensure their speedy full participation, when that discrimination will cease at that point.
Would the Minister of State specifically outline what obstacles stand in the way of recruiting women to the Naval Service, which he has indicated constitutes a particular problem for the Naval Service as distinct from any other aspect of the Defence Forces.
The problems are of a more practical nature within the Naval Service; for example, life on a naval ship poses particular problems——
Such as?
Space, for one.
Women take up the same space as men.
