Michael Finucane
Question:11 Mr. Finucane asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel repatriated from the 82nd Infantry UNIFIL Battalion; the reasons for repatriation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13005/98]
Other Questions. - Defence Forces Strength.
Question:
17 Mr. Hayes asked the Minister for Defence the number of personnel who served with the 82nd Infantry Battalion who are serving with the 83rd Battalion; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13008/98]
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:78 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Defence if there is a shortage of qualified personnel volunteering for service with United Nations contingents abroad; the steps, if any, he intends to take to deal with these shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12980/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 11, 17 and 78 together.
A total of 20 personnel were repatriated from the 82nd Infantry Battalion UNIFIL — 12 on medical grounds, seven on compassionate grounds and one for domestic reasons. Some 58 personnel who served with the 82nd Infantry Battalion are currently serving with the 83rd Infantry Battalion.
It is my firm belief, as I have said on many occasions, that recruitment to the Defence Forces should be on a continuous basis rather than the stop-go approach of previous years. Some 800 new recruits were enlisted in the Defence Forces in 1997. In addition, a further 500 recruits will be enlisted in 1998. A total of 300 new recruits were taken on in April and May, and there will be continuous intake to fill the allocation of 500 recruits.
The overall numbers of personnel serving in the Defence Forces will be assessed in summer 1998. If that assessment indicates further recruitment is required to ensure an overall strength of 11,500 at the end of 1998, that additional recruitment will take place immediately. The upper age for recruitment has been reduced from 27 years to 21 years. This measure, with the voluntary early retirement scheme, VER, will help to address the high age profile within the Defence Forces and, in turn, will have a positive impact on the levels of personnel volunteering for overseas service.
I have had numerous representations in regard to the 5' 4" height requirement for women applicants to the Defence Forces, which is having a detrimental effect on the number of applicants. Many of the people who contacted me are deeply disappointed that they were unable to join the Defence Forces because of the height requirement.
As the Deputy knows, when I came into office the height requirement was 5' 5".
I know that but I would like it reduced by a few more inches.
A great deal of consideration was given to my decision to reduce the height requirement. We had an argument in the House a few months ago about whether the change was necessary because people felt there should be no real distinction. My view was that there should be a distinction and that we should discriminate in favour of female recruits in terms of the height requirement. However, I must have regard to certain considerations, although I know there is a disputed view about this. I have seen the training exercises in the Glen of Imaal, in which the apparel which must be carried is of a substantial weight. There is a medical view that there is the danger of injury in carrying such heavy material. It is something I will keep under constant review. I would not like to think that young girls anxious to join the Defence Forces who feel they have the physical capacity to withstand whatever pressures they encounter will have a difficulty because of this.
I made this decision for this year and there will be no change. I will consult more widely with the appropriate authorities to see to what extent a further change could be made if that is deemed necessary. I am aware there is no such limit in other jurisdictions, but we must operate on the basis of what we consider to be the best way to proceed. I will open the door to reconsidering the matter for the 1999 recruitment period. If the Deputy is able to keep the applicants under age until then we can proceed.
We are old fashioned and outdated in our approach to this. I encourage the Minister to look at this again and to perhaps take a guide from the British Army in the way it deals with this issue, where these requirements have been done away with. It is now looking at overall levels of physical fitness and ability to do the job, whether male or female, rather than having any specific requirements for either sex. That is probably the way to proceed.
This matter has been well publicised in recent months. Has the women's political association or any women's group contacted the Minister to protest or complain? I would be very surprised if they had not done so.
I am not aware of any representations that have come directly from women's groups. I took this initiative out of love for women generally. Comparisons with other jurisdictions are difficult because there are many functions in other Defence Forces which women are not permitted to perform because of rules and regulations. By contrast, in this country everybody is free to take up whatever position is available. There are no restrictions. That may embody some curtailment with regard to the way we must approach matters as against other places. I will look at the matter again.