President calls for more women in the Defence Forces

PRESIDENT Michael D Higgins has called for a greater role for women in the Defence Forces – as he spoke at a ceremony to mark Ireland’s 60th year participating in United Nations peacekeeping.

He told guests, including Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, that the ‘promotion of a strong gender perspective is a key element in all peacekeeping operations’, and that it ‘must continue to be a priority to increase female participation in peacekeeping contingents’.

He said having more women involved in Irish peacekeeping missions would help in resolving conflict and connecting with local populations.

The President yesterday laid a wreath (pictured) in honour of the 86 members of the Defence Forces and gardaí who have lost their lives while serving abroad on such missions. He was joined at the State ceremony in Dublin Castle by the Taoiseach, Junior Minister for Defence Paul Kehoe, Justice Minister Charles Flanagan and Senator Gerard Craughwell, who is a Defence Forces veteran and has spoken of how he would run against President Higgins in a possible election.

Minister Flanagan hailed yesterday’s event as being a ‘poignant’ occasion for families.

It was reported on Saturday that President Higgins had indicated to a number of ministers that he intends to seek a second term in office. His current term ends this autumn.