The achievement of equal status and equal opportunities for women is a matter which arises across the whole range of Government policy-making. For this reason, the terms of reference of all members of Government are to advance the position and status of women in all aspects of their responsibility.
Since 1987, a Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, had a monitoring and co-ordinating role on all aspects of Government policy as they affect women. On 15 November 1991, I announced certain changes at Minister of State level and, in doing so, I also made it clear that the Government will reallocate responsibilities among Ministers of State in the near future. An announcement in relation to this reallocation will be made shortly.