Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 31 January 2019
51. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if all Defence Forces personnel will be remeasured in view of his acknowledgement that inaccurate measurement has occurred; if the procedures for height measurement are being reviewed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4740/19]
View answer52. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence if he is satisfied with the procedures carried out by the Defence Forces medical personnel to measure the height of recruits during the recruitment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4814/19]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 51 and 52 together.
The minimum height requirement for general service recruitment is set out in Defence Force Regulations. The requirement was made following recommendations by a Defence Forces Working Group which reported in January 2006, which reduced the previous height requirement for both males and females. The height requirements in place is based on the ergonomic requirements for all members of the Defence Forces to train and carry out operations at home and overseas with service Personal Load Carrying Equipment.
The height requirements in place were introduced following detailed consideration and remain in place. The military authorities have informed me that they will conduct another review of the DF height standards to update, if necessary, the 2006 report.
There are no plans to re-measure all Defence Force Personnel.
