Minister for Defence Willie O'Dea wants to encourage more women to join the military and to rid the Defence Forces of some of the "elitism" hindering promotion.
The "glass ceiling" normally associated with impeding women in employment also applied to men in the Defence Forces, the Minister indicated, and he has announced a review to expedite change in this area.
The Minister, who inspected troops at Dun Uí Mhaoilíosa Army barracks in Renmore, Co Galway, yesterday, said the number of woman recruited each year was in direct proportion to the number of women applying, approximately 9 per cent of total complement.
"While a lot is being done already to encourage more women to apply, I intend to review the measures in place over the coming weeks with a view to maximising the number of women applicants into the Defence Forces."
As a former junior minister with responsibility for equality, he said he felt he had "considerable experience" in this area.
