Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 September 2012
338. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the number of people who have applied for the Defence Forces during each of the last fifteen years, but were refused on the basis that they had committed a serious offence; the offences that each of the persons had committed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40476/12]
View answer339. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Defence the serious offences convictions that would result in a persons application to the Defence Forces being refused. [40481/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 338 and 339 together.
It is a matter for the Military Authorities to select candidates based on specific criteria and in accordance with Defence Force Regulations for positions in the Defence Forces. In relation to the specific statistics sought regarding applicants for enlistment in the Permanent Defence Force the Military Authorities have advised that they do not keep files on this type of information.
Defence Force Regulations stipulate that the following persons will not be enlisted in the Permanent Defence Force:
1. A person who has been convicted of a serious offence by a civil court.
2. A person who has been convicted by a Special Criminal Court of a scheduled offence under the Offences Against the State Act, 1939, unless -
(i) a period of seven years has elapsed since the date of such conviction, or
(ii) a free pardon has been granted in respect of such conviction, or
(iii) the disqualification incurred as a result of such conviction, from holding office or employment remunerated out of public funds has been remitted by the Government under subsection (5) of section 34 of the said Act.
Defence Force Regulations do not specify the particular offences.
