Only 7 per cent of female gardai believe promotion in the force is based on merit, according to a survey, details of which are published in the latest issue of Garda Review.
The study, based on replies given by 100 female officers in Dublin, also showed that less than half of those qualified for promotion ever applied for it; almost two-thirds believed there were "restrictive promotion quotas" for women; and 63 per cent were not confident of a fair hearing under the Garda's internal grievance procedure, in cases of discrimination because of gender or marital status.