Vol. 451 No. 8
20 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when the term of office of the members of the Legal Aid Board expires; when he will appoint a new board; the membership of the new board; if the new board will include 40 per cent representation for both women and men; whether staff members are to be appointed to the board; and, if so, the way in which they are to be selected. [7638/95]
With effect from today, 25 April 1995. I have appointed six members of the Legal Aid Board in place of the members whose term of office expired on 24 April 1995. Details of the membership of the new board are set out in a tabular statement which I propose to circulate in the Official Report. At least 40 per cent of the membership of the board will be women and at least 40 per cent will be men.
There are seven further seats on the board to be filled and two of them will be filled by persons who are members of the staff of the board. I am in discussions with the unions representing the staff interests and I am confident that they will be in a position soon to agree arrangements for the nomination of staff representatives to the board.
Persons appointed on 25 April 1995 to the Legal Aid Board
|
Name |
Address |
Occupation |
|
Anne Watkin, BL |
The Belfry, Cloghers, Tralee, County Kerry. |
Barrister-at-law. |
|
Louise Crivon, BL |
2 Annesbrook, Clonskeagh, Dublin 7. |
Barrister-at-law. |
|
Mary Maher |
28 Annaville, Dublin 6. |
Journalist (Irish Times). |
|
Dan McCarthy |
Galmoylestown, Mullingar, County Westmeath. |
Farmer. |
|
Robert Browne |
Department of Equality and Law Reform, Mespil Road, Dublin 4. |
Assistant Secretary, Department of Equality and Law Reform. |
|
Dermot Condon |
Social Welfare Services Offices, Letterkenny, County Donegal. |
Principal Officer, Department of Social Welfare. |
I thank the Minister for his speedy reply. I did not realise it was imminent.
The timing was perfect, as always.
I trust the Minister has allowed for continuity of membership given that the previous board gave excellent service and met the targets set by him.
As regards the previous board, one aspect which I will not follow relates to gender balance. The board appointed by a previous Government was all male.
We have failed dismally to provide for gender balance by leaving out Question No. 17 today. It relates to equal opportunities for women at decision-making levels in employment. It was not found possible to deal with the question, even as an ordinary one, which would have been acceptable.
It did not meet the established criteria.
The Minister indicated that a further seven people will be appointed, two of whom will be staff members. What criteria will be used to select the remaining five people?
The criteria set out in the Civil Legal Aid Bill will be followed. The board is being appointed on a non-statutory basis but when we pass the Bill I intend to reappoint the same board on a statutory basis. The guiding parameters are those set out in section 4 of the Bill.
I assume the two staff members will be chosen by the staff. They must choose either two men or two women to allow for the 40 per cent representation on the board. They must pick certain people to achieve this. How does the Minister intend to address that and ensure they are not forced to do something they do not want to do?
I had discussions with unions representing the staff interests and their concerns will be met satisfactorily.
