Sir, - I recollect that within the Garda Siochana, the term "bangarda" has been abolished, and that pay and conditions, duties and opportunities are now identical for all gardai, male and female.
Which is why I am mystified by something I spotted in your edition of November 20th. In the Business 2 Supplement, the Garda Siochana has invited applications for candidates to join the Force. The minimum height requirements stated are 5 feet 9 inches for men and 5 feet 5 inches for women. This means, for example, that candidates 5 feet 7 inches tall, and female, may apply. If a candidate is 5 feet 7 inches tall and male, he may not apply.
This does not make sense to me. If 5 feet 7 inches is sufficient height for a female to perform her Garda duties, how can it be insufficient for a male Garda performing the same duties?
Might I suggest the candidates' requirements be amended for this recruitment drive? At a time when the integrity of the force is critical to the preservation of our Irish democracy, surely it is more important to measure the moral standing of the candidate, rather than what the candidate measures, standing up? - Yours, etc., Michael P. Aherne,
Meath Road, Bray, Co Wicklow.