Seán Haughey
Question:58 Mr. Haughey asked the Taoiseach the latest position regarding the nominee of the National Youth Council of Ireland to the National Economic and Social Council; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3013/96]
Written Answers. - NYCI Nominee to NESC.
In response to a question on this issue on 14 November 1995, I explained the situation regarding the nominee of the National Youth Council of Ireland to the National Economic and Social Council. I indicated that an offer had been made to NYCI and unfortunately, since that time, I have received no further communication from NYCI regarding their nomination.
I am not refusing to accept a nomination from the NYCI to the NESC but, rather, I have requested that they make a female nomination to the council. It is Government policy to have at least 40 per cent of both men and women in appointments to State boards and the Government has requested all the social partners to observe this gender balance in making nominations to the NESC. There are currently 33 members of the council, with a full membership of 34 if a nominee of the NYCI is agreed. Of the 33 appointed members, 12 are women, which represents 36 per cent of the membership. Assuming the appointment of a female NYCI nominee then the level of female representation will rise to 38 per cent.
The other social partners have made efforts to enhance the proportion of women in their representation of the council. I accept the difficulty that an organisation which only has one representative may have with this Government policy, however, as the representative from NYCI has always been male, I decided to request them to nominate a female representative for this term of the NESC. I indicated, last October, to the NYCI that they may wish to nominate a male alternate for a female member of the council as a means of overcoming any difficulty. I have received no response from the NYCI but I look forward to hearing from them.