Vol. 506 No. 5
215 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to review the differing height requirement for entry by men and women to the Garda Síochána; the reason this differential exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15996/99]
I would refer the Deputy to my reply to Questions Nos. 44 and 66 for answer on 15 June last. As stated therein the height requirements for entry to the Garda Síochána are currently under review. All aspects of this issue, including the differential, which is historical, in the height requirements for males and females, will be examined in the context of this review.
The height differential is not contrary to employment equality legislation. Section 17B of the Employment Equality Act, 1977 – as inserted by the European Communities (Employment Equality) Regulations, 1985 – permits the application of different height requirements for men and women for the purposes of Garda recruitment. The Employment Equality Bill also makes provision for the application of different height criteria for men and women for this purpose but further provides that the criteria chosen must be such that the proportion of women in the State likely to meet the criterion for women is approximately, the same as the proportion of men likely to meet the criterion for men.
