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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 29 Jan 2003

Vol. 560 No. 1

Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.

Michael Ring

Question:

841 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on whether it is right to debar people from joining the Garda Síochána due to age; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1574/03]

The Garda Síochána (Admissions and Appointments) Regulations 1988, as amended, govern entry to the Garda Síochána and provide that applicants generally must be at least 18 and under 26 years on the first day of the month that the competition is advertised (the regulations provide for some extension to the upper age limit for applicants with certain specified service in the Defence Forces).

Section 37 of the Employment Equality Act 1998 provides, inter alia, that those parts of the Act relating to discrimination on the age ground do not apply to employment in the Garda Síochána. On 27 November 2000, Council Directive 2000/78/EC was adopted establishing a general framework for equal treatment in employment and occupation. The implementation of the directive will have implications for the age provision of the Employment Equality Act 1998. My Department is currently formulating legislative proposals to implement the Council directive and any implications for admission to the Garda Síochána will be considered in that context.

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