Trevor Sargent
Question:372 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the rationale in relation to height restrictions for persons wishing to join An Garda Síochána. [2993/00]
Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.
Trevor Sargent
Question:373 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason height requirements to join the Garda Síochána are different for men and women; and his views on whether this is a form of discrimination. [2994/00]
Trevor Sargent
Question:374 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the review of Garda regulations relating to height requirements for entry to the Garda Síochána will be completed. [2995/00]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 372 to 374, inclusive, together.
The height requirements for entry to the Garda Síochána, which are historical, are prescribed by regulation and are currently under review. All aspects of this issue, including the differential in the height requirements for men and women, are being carefully considered in the context of this review. The review is ongoing and requires wide consultation. I am not in a position, at this stage, to indicate when it will be completed. Any proposals I may have in this regard will be submitted for consideration by the Government in due course.
The height differential is not contrary to existing employment equality legislation. The Employment Equality Act, 1998, permits the application of different height criteria for men and women provided that the criteria chosen are 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.