Theresa Ahearn
Question:20 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the time-frame which is being considered to allow full participation of women in all aspects of Defence Forces activity.
Written Answers. - Female Defence Forces Personnel.
Monica Barnes
Question:23 Mrs. Barnes asked the Minister for Defence when women in the Defence Forces will be given access to all military courses.
Pádraic McCormack
Question:24 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Defence when it will be possible to provide promotion on an equality of opportunity basis for women within the Defence Forces.
Nora Owen
Question:28 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Defence when females in the Defence Forces will be employed in operational and ceremonial activities.
Nuala Fennell
Question:36 Mrs. Fennell asked the Minister for Defence when he expects that it will be possible for females within the Defence Forces to have access to all appointments.
Bernard Allen
Question:44 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Defence when it will be possible to provide promotion on an equality of opportunity basis for women within the Defence Forces.
Madeleine Taylor-Quinn
Question:57 Mrs. Taylor-Quinn asked the Minister for Defence if he will outline the progress in detailed planning which has been made since his announcement in Dáil Éireann on 14 May 1992 to end restrictions which prevent women from serving in all areas of the Defence Forces; and when this will be put into practice.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 20, 23, 24, 28, 36, 44 and 57 together.
As I indicated in this House on 14 May, 1992 when introducing the Defence Estimate, I have made a decision in principle to end the restrictions which up to now have prevented women from serving in all areas of the Defence Forces. The military authorities are engaged in the detailed planning necessary to implement this decision. While it is not possible to say when this planning will be completed, I can assure the House that women are now eligible on the same basis as men for employment on operational and ceremonial duties, for assignment to military courses and for promotion. In essence the basis of selection in all of these areas will henceforward be suitability rather than gender.