Vol. 411 No. 4
11 Mrs. Fennell asked the Taoiseach if he will outline the way in which the Government implemented the seven recommendations contained in the first statement to Government of the Second Commission on the Status of Women of April, 1991; and when the full report of the Commission will be available.
I received the First Statement of the Commission on the Status of Women on 25 April 1991. At that time, I was pleased to be in a position to indicate that the seven recommendations which were contained in the statement were in principle acceptable to the Government.
Immediately after receipt of this statement — on 30 April 1991 — I wrote to all Ministers bringing the Commission's recommendations to their attention and asking them to have regard, in their relevant areas of responsibilities, to the commitments made to the Commission. The Deputy can be assured that the practical effects of implementation of the seven recommendations will become apparent over time.
The full report of the Commission is expected to be submitted to the Government by June, 1992.
I thank the Taoiseach for his reply though it is very disappointing. Would he not regard the delay in implementing these recommendations as foot-dragging to the extreme, in view of the fact that the first phase of the Commission's report was brought forward specifically because the issues recommended were regarded as important and because the chairperson of the Commission, Judge Mella Carroll, said they would not incur any expense on the Exchequer? I would specifically like to ask the Taoiseach what is being done? We have had seven recommendations since April, one as simple as the seventh which involves appointing a fifth person to the Top Level Appointments Commission, a move that was strongly recommended and which would not require earth shattering work. Why has nothing been done on that recommendation? Can the Taoiseach give us an assurance that there will be a time limit on the implementation of the seven very simple recommendations?
I think the Deputy is completely misrepresenting the position. The first recommendation deals with ownership of the family home. We are ready to proceed immediately with that, but, unfortunately there is a Supreme Court case which will impinge on the legislation so we have to await the decision in that regard. The second recommendation relates to a memoranda for Government. That is being implemented. The third recommendation relates to appointments to State boards. Very considerable progress is being made in that respect. The fourth recommendation deals with lottery and other funds. The information received from the various Departments suggests that this recommendation is being implemented. The fifth recommendaton deals with the Top Level Appointments Commission. There are some problems in that regard — we hope to overcome those very shortly — in so far as, regrettably, there is no woman Secretary of a Department. That is an impediment in that context. The sixth recommendation deals with age limits for recruitment to the public service and that has been implemented already. Likewise, the seventh recommendation, which deals with sexism in primary education, has been implemented.
May I refer to two important points which I mentioned originally. In relation to the joint beneficial interest or rights of both spouses to the family home, may I ask the Taoiseach, in the light of the fact that the reserved judgment of the Supreme Court dates back to 3 October 1988, more than three years ago — if there is any way the Government can indicate the need for this judgment to be brought forward? How long can legislation be delayed? Is the Taoiseach saying that legislation is ready to be brought forward or will it have to wait for the White Paper on marriage breakdown? I would like greater clarification on the legislation. With regard to the Taoiseach's response about the Top Level Appointments Commission, was it not the case that the Commission recommended that an expert woman in a particular area should be brought in where necessary to fulfil the Government policy of having all interview boards integrated, male and female?
The Government do not have any jurisdiction over the Supreme Court or any responsibility for its affairs. As I have said already, the legislation can be proceeded with immediately when that decision is made available. With regard to the question of the Top Level Appointments Commission, I am aware of the situation there and I hope to have a solution very shortly.
