asked the Taoiseach when and how he will publish the progress reports prepared by each Minister, with the exception of the Minister for Tourism and Transport, on measures to advance the position of women within each of their areas of responsibility as announced in the EC publication Women of Europe; and if these reports will be published every six months.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Measures to Advance Position of Women.
3.
The progress reports on measures to advance the position of women in the areas of responsibility of each Government Minister will be examined and co-ordinated when received in my Department next month. I would propose that a composite progress report be issued in September with further similar reports at six-monthly intervals thereafter.
I am glad to hear the Taoiseach saying these reports will be published in September and I compliment his Department and the Minister of State on making that announcement in Women of Europe magazine which I came across recently. Would the Taoiseach agree that there are two yardsticks against which Ministers can plan and chart their progress in this area? One is something the Taoiseach knows about already, the reports of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Women's Rights of which the Taoiseach was a member, and the second is the agenda for practical action published by the previous Taoiseach's Department in February 1985 which had a detailed plan of action in each area. Would the Taoiseach instruct each Minister to appoint a senior official to study those documents and measure and report progress against the recommendations in those reports?
Yes, I will look favourably on that suggestion. I am not sure whether it would be a senior official or whether it should not be done within the Minister's office, but I think the idea is worth while for a concrete measure of progress.
I am sure the Taoiseach is well aware that there is a continuing discrepancy in pay between men and women. There is a considerable lack of women on State boards and commissions; 18 per cent is very low. I am not making comparisons, but there is still a concentration of women in low paid employment. Would the Taoiseach not consider that a Minister of State who is already extremely occupied in Europe, who already has considerable responsibility in the 1992 preparations, cannot herself fulfil the role of overseeing the question of women's affairs? Would the Taoiseach not agree that it is time now to appoint a full time Minister of State for women's affairs to look at this very important area?
The Deputy is injecting new matter and raising separate issues here.
Just one point. I am keenly aware of the need to have more women members on State bodies. I assure the Deputy that we are genuinely making a determined effort to improve that situation and I hope to achieve concrete results. I do not know if the Deputy is aware of some recent progress in particular areas but I will be glad to let her have the information if it has not already been published.
Ceist 4.
I am aware that out of 584 appointments this Government have made 107 were women. I am glad to hear the Taoiseach say he intends to take some steps. Do the steps include, for example, a continual reference to the National Women's Talent Bank and the Women in Business Directory which are at the disposal of the Government all the time to enable them to pick suitable women but which seem to be ignored?
Nobody is ignored. I hope the Deputy will accept my assurance that it is difficult to identify the right type of woman for a particular thing when it arises. Very often after appointments have been made one suddenly comes across, realises or identifies a woman who would have been perfectly suitable. It is a matter that requires constant active application to achieve results. I want to assure the Deputy that this Government — and I am not casting any aspersions on any other Government — are very keenly aware of the need to progress in this area.
Question No. 4.
I will give the Taoiseach names any time he wants them.
I have given the Deputy a lot of latitude. I am calling Question No. 4.