Vol. 521 No. 5
99 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Defence if he will review the Medical Corps advice available to him regarding height requirement for entry to the Defence Forces; if he will seek industrial comparisons and advice on this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17472/00]
The minimum height requirement for both males and females had previously been set at 5' 5". However, in March 1998, I reduced the height requirement for female applicants for general enlistment in the Defence Forces to 5' 4", in light of the natural height differential between males and females and to encourage an increased participation by women in the Defence Forces.
While I am in favour of retaining this reduced height requirement for women, I must be mindful of the professional advice of the Medical Corps, and the actual experience of training units, that persons of shorter stature encounter greater difficulties in carrying the bulk and weight of combat order equipment. Therefore, I do not envisage any further lowering of height requirements.
