Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 25 Jun 1996

Vol. 467 No. 4

Written Answers. - Appointments to State and Semi-State Boards.

Helen Keogh

Question:

119 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the State and semi-State boards under the aegis of his Department; the appointments, if any, that have been made to these boards in the past year; the number of women who have been appointed by him; and the percentage of women currently on each of these boards. [13450/96]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

Two State boards operate under the aegis of my Department, namely, the board of the Employment Equality Agency and the Legal Aid Board.

During the past year I made no appointments to the board of the Employment Equality Agency nor have I appointed any women to that board since the formation of this Government. Women comprise 82 per cent of the current board membership.

On 30 June 1995 I appointed Ms Nessa McMahon to the board of the Legal Aid Board. This was the only appointment made during the past year. However, since my appointment as Minister for Equality and Law Reform in December 1994 I appointed a total of seven women to the board. Women now comprise 54 per cent of the current board membership.