Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 10 Feb 1998

Vol. 486 No. 6

Written Answers. - State Board Membership.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

92 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a report prepared by the National Women's Council on the participation by women on State boards and, particularly, the relatively few female chairpersons; the steps, if any, he intends to take arising from the report both in relation to bodies under the aegis of his Department and in relation to wider Government policy in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20919/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I have examined the report prepared by the National Women's Council of Ireland, entitled Who Makes the Decisions in 1997? which was recently launched by the Taoiseach.

My Department monitors the position of women on State boards on an ongoing basis. At end December 1997, according to the analysis in my Department, women constituted 28 per cent of total membership of State boards and 35 per cent of Ministerial-Government nominees. Women comprised 23 per cent of Chairs of such boards. These figures are very similar to the findings of the National Women's Council of Ireland's report, which covers the situation at June to September 1997.

I intend to continue the policy objective of gender balance on State boards, with a minimum target of 40 per cent of women and men in direct appointments. I will also continue to encourage nominating bodies to adopt a similar policy.

It is also Government policy that Ministers should endeavour to have a minimum of 40 per cent of both men and women among the chairs of boards of State bodies.