TD Jim O’Callaghan has called on the age limit for joining the gardaí to be raised above 35 after the 55 year old attempted to pass the required fitness test himself.
The Fianna Fáil justice spokesman towers at well over six foot tall and was an accomplished rugby player in his day - he still lines out in charity matches from time to time.
Mr O’Callagahn passed the test, but had some criticisms of it.
He believes that the ban on those over the age of 35 applying to join the gardaí is arbitrary and ageist and he took the fitness test himself to prove this.
The barrister and politician wants the fitness test as it stands to be scrapped and replaced with a more tailored approach.
Mr O’Callaghan said: “Over recent weeks and months, I have raised a number of possible solutions to address our recruitment issues.
“I still believe that the pre-entry fitness test is too demanding for many, out of step with other jurisdictions and is becoming a growing factor blocking recruitment.
“I appreciate that a basic level of fitness is a prerequisite for a Garda but I am of the opinion that the current test may be disqualifying those who have difficulty completing a strenuous obstacle course.
"A more sensible approach, in my view, would be to design the test to ascertain the candidate’s current level of fitness and an intensive programme be tailored accordingly on admission, should the recruit exhibit a baseline level of fitness."
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