Vol. 409 No. 10
20 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for Defence the number of applications for membership of the FCA received to date from women in response to the advertisement published in April; when it is expected that the first female recruits will be enlisted; the total likely to be enlisted by the end of the year; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
A total of about 750 applications were received from females for enlistment in the FCA. Some applicants have already been interviewed to assess their suitability for enlistment and the remainder will be interviewed over the next few weeks. As already announced, it is proposed to enlist up to 200 females in the FCA in the current year.
What are the criteria for selecting candidates? What attributes are the Department looking for in female applicants who wish to enlist in the FCA?
The number of applications is 753. In the Western Command there were 359 applications, in the Eastern Command 214 and in the Southern Command 180. In view of the limited number of vacancies it is proposed to interview all eligible applicants and to select those considered to be most suitable. Military personnel will undertake that task. It is policy that women in the Defence Forces should not be employed in operational units. Women are eligible for enlistment in the service corps units, namely, supply and transport, medical, signals and military police.
Would the Minister not agree that women should be allowed to become involved in all types of operations and that discrimination should not be decided upon at this point? How can he justify the fact that three out of every four applicants will be refused membership? Could he explain the grounds on which the refusals will be made? The Minister states that those most suitable will be accepted. What are the criteria for defining "most suitable"?
As in any other recruitment procedure, military personnel in the various areas will conduct examinations and interviews and appoint the people they consider suitable. With 753 applications for only 200 places, naturally some people will be disappointed. I am keeping the matter under review and if it is possible to recruit further women into the Army later this year I will examine the matter. The authorities expect enlistment to commence in August-September.
If the Minister were sitting on the interview board or were part of the recruitment process, what would he be looking for in these female recruits which would make one more acceptable than the other? Could I have a reply to that question?
I have no option but to move on to the next question. The Chair cannot compel any Minister to reply if he or she does not want to do so.
