Helen Keogh
Question:60 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Enterprise and Employment the reason women journalists were not appointed to the Commission on the Newspaper Industry; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14441/95]
Written Answers. - Commission on Newspaper Industry.
The Commission on the Newspaper Industry was set up by me following a comprehensive debate on the newspaper industry which took place in the wake of the publication of the Competition Authority's report on newspapers. Following receipt of that report, I had discussions with all interested parties and I hosted a forum on the newspaper industry. The commission was given wide-ranging terms of reference which required broad membership from many walks of life. In drawing up membership, I invited nominations from representative organisations within industry including IBEC, ICTU, NUJ, NNI and PNI. Those invited to nominate took the request very seriously and I am certain, nominated those whom they considered to be the best qualified for membership of the commission. It was not my function to interfere in their individual choice of nominee.
In addition, in order that the commission would be representative of as many facets of Irish life as possible, I nominated persons with special insights from advertising, economics, business and media law, communications, business, culture and equality sectors. The commission is independent and consists of 20 members under the distinguished chairmanship of the former Chief Justice, Mr. Thomas Finlay. Six of the members are women; two are involved in the media, one being the managing director of a large public relations company and the other a media law expert and a university lecturer. I am confident that the membership of the commission is balanced and I look forward to their important report.