Vol. 573 No. 4
195 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Defence the reason, contrary to best practice and to precedent throughout the public service, the Defence Forces does not advertise recruitment with notice to the effect that it is an equality of opportunity employer; if this omission is evidence of a lack of commitment to equality in the workplace; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25687/03]
The Government is committed to a policy of equal opportunity within the Defence Forces. However, the Defence Forces have a derogation from the terms of the Employment Equality Act 1998 in respect of the criteria of physical ability and age. Therefore, the current age, medical and physical requirements for entry into the Defence Forces reflect the fact that only able bodied and fit recruits can satisfy the difficult and strenuous physical demands of the training and operational environment of the Defence Forces. Because of this, an unqualified statement such as that suggested by the Deputy would not be strictly accurate.
