Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 25 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 7

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Personnel.

Deirdre Clune

Question:

22 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence the number and rank of women serving in the Defence Forces; the actions, if any, which he will take to implement the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium to encourage the increased participation of women in the Defence Forces and to ensure the facilities necessary for their full participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4786/98]

Deirdre Clune

Question:

86 Ms Clune asked the Minister for Defence the number and ranks of women serving in the Defence Forces; the actions, if any, which he will take to implement the commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium to encourage the increased participation of women in the Defence Forces and to ensure the facilities necessary for their full participation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4785/98]

Dan Neville

Question:

104 Mr. Neville asked the Minister for Defence the plans, if any, he has to expand the role of women in the Defence Forces. [4856/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 22, 86 and 104 together.

The number of female personnel serving in the Defence Forces at 31 December 1997, the latest date for which statistics have been compiled, is shown in the form of a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report.

Women are eligible for service in the Army, Air Corps, Naval Service and in the Reserve Defence Force and to compete for all appointments on an equal basis and under the same conditions as those which apply to men. All female personnel undergo the same training and receive the same military education as their male counterparts. I have decided to reduce the height requirement for female recruits to encourage participation by women in the Defence Forces.

I am pleased to say that the first female members of An Slua Muirí were enlisted this year.

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5

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2,934

Slua Muirí

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Paul McGrath

Question:

23 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if the Curragh, Eastern, Southern and Western Commands filled their quota of recruit intake during the last recruitment in 1997 from personnel who were interviewed by the commands. [4851/98]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

In 1997, the Curragh, Southern and Western Commands filled their quota of recruits from applicants who were interviewed within those commands. Eighty six of the recruits enlisted in the Eastern Command had originally applied for the Western Command and were interviewed by a board from that region.