Vol. 489 No. 7
42 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Defence if personnel in the Defence Forces below the height of 5 foot 4 inches will continue to be considered for operational duties in view of the fact that his Department believe that persons of smaller stature may experience difficulties with the bulk and weight of combat equipment. [9308/98]
All personnel serving in the Defence Forces are required to carry out operational duties appropriate to their rank and appointment. Exclusion from such duties occurs only in the case of medical disability. Personnel recruited to the Defence Forces when the height requirement was less than 5'4" will continue to be required to carry out the full range of duties required of them except where a medical officer directs that they are precluded from such duties for medical reasons.
