Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 20 May 1999

Vol. 505 No. 2

Written Answers. - Defence Forces Recruitment.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

51 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Defence if, further to Parliamentary Question No. 30 of 1 April 1999 regarding height requirement for entry to the Army, the variance that exists between the minimum height requirement for male at 5' 5 and females at 5' 4 will be reviewed in this age of equality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13126/99]

Minister for Defence (Mr. M. Smith)

The minimum height requirement for males and females was previously set at 5' 5". I reviewed the matter and decided, in light of the natural height difference between males and females, to reduce the height requirement for female applicants to 5' 4" with effect from 3 March 1998.