Vol. 455 No. 4
69 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Health if he recognises the importance of the ICA throughout the country as an advocacy body on women's health issues; and if he will specifically undertake to appoint members of the association to health boards. [12372/95]
Limerick East): I have a strong appreciation of the importance of the role of the Irish Countrywomen's Association in advocating women's health. As the Deputy will be aware, I recently published a discussion document “Developing a Policy for Women's Health” which is the forerunner to a wide-ranging consultative process, now under way, on women's health issues. This consultative process is being carried out in co-operation with the Council for the Status of Women. Within this framework, I have invited the Irish Countrywomen's Association to make an input to planning a series of regional seminars to ensure that as many women as possible have an opportunity to comment on the discussion document and contribute to the proposed plan for women's health.
In relation to the appointment of ICA members to health boards, I can assure the Deputy that I will give full consideration to this when making appointments to fill vacancies as they arise. As the Deputy will appreciate, the skills and attributes of candidates, in the context of the particular requirements of boards, must be taken into account when making appointments to ensure that boards have among their members the range of skills necessary to function effectively.
