Vol. 437 No. 2
5 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform whether he has received a list detailing the names of 100 women who could be appointed to State Boards and other bodies; the person from whom the list was received; and whether he has also been provided with details of the political affiliations of those named.
I have received from Deputy Mary Wallace, on behalf of the Fianna Fáil National Women's Committee, a directory containing details of women interested in serving on State boards. There is no indication of their political affiliations.
Is the Minister aware it is widely known that Fianna Fáil put together a prospectus of 100 women who could be appropriately appointed to State boards? Will he agree it is not appropriate for a party-proofed list to be submitted to Government Minister's and that such appointments should be based on merit, not on party affiliations or the imprimatur of any Government party having been first given to such appointments?
I agree that the question of imprimatur from any party would not arise. I assure the Deputy that any appointments made by my Department would be strictly on the basis of merit. It is open to any party to compile such a list if it is minded to do so. That was done, and if the Deputy's party wish to compile such a list I will be happy to receive it.
Will the Minister confirm that this Fianna Fáil-approved list has been submitted to every Government Minister? In the interest of ensuring equality of representation, not just in the area of gender proofing but to ensure that no preference is shown to any individual based on party affiliation, will he take action to indicate to his colleagues in Government that this list should not necessarily be relied on in making such appointments? Will the Minister agree it would be far more appropriate — if such lists are compiled — that it should be done on a non-party political basis by a body such as the Council for the Status of Women?
I think I can safely assure the Deputy that the members of the Government are just as able as I to decide what weight, if any, to give to any list of people that may be submitted to them. I reiterate that it is the practice of the Government and its members to appoint people to State boards on the basis of merit and fitness for the task which they are being asked to carry out and on no other basis.
The Minister must be very naive.
Will the Minister indicate whether any similar list of 100 approved women has been circulated on behalf of the Labour Party? If not, perhaps he will indicate why, in the context of appointments made to date by this Government, there seems to be a particular bias towards ensuring that those who are appointed to boards, men or women, have connections with either Labour or Fianna Fáil.
I am not aware of any similar list having been prepared by the Labour Party, nor can I make any comment as to the particular affiliation of any appointee. As far as I am aware, any appointments are based on the merit of the appointee and on that alone.
