Vol. 427 No. 4
2 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform whether procedures have been put in place to allow him take executive action in instances where the action proposed impinges upon the responsibilities of other Departments; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Generally, I will undertake my duties in line with the normal procedures relating to collective responsibility in Government. For the first time in the history of this State there will be a Minister whose primary responsibility will be to ensure that women's issues and problems affecting disadvantaged groups in our society are voiced at the Cabinet table.
Ministers and Departments have direct responsibility in their own areas of activity for compliance with the general equality principles adopted by the Government. I will undertake a general monitoring role with the assistance of my partnership programme manager, Mr. Paul Mulhern.
When vacancies arise on State boards, prior to the new appointments being made by the Minister responsible for the board concerned, will the Minister for Equality and Law Reform submit to that Minister the names of the people proposed to be appointed so as to ensure that there is gender proofing, that men and women are treated equally and that there is greater representation by women on State boards in the future?
The Government has agreed that gender proofing will apply in regard to such appointments. It is my responsibility to monitor that. All Ministers have agreed at Cabinet that close attention will be paid to the issue of gender representation when new appointments are made. That applies equally to the constitution of new boards being set up to ensure that the appropriate proportions are strictly adhered to. It will apply also to the filling of vacancies. Since my appointment as Minister some appointments have been made and I can assure the House that in all cases the requirements in regard to gender proportions have been strictly adhered to. I will continue to ensure that that is the case. Indeed, all Ministers have indicated their willingness to comply with that principle, which is Government policy.
