Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 19 Feb 2003

Vol. 561 No. 5

Written Answers. - Departmental Bodies.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

251 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress which has been made in reaching the target of at least 40% participation of each gender on State boards; if he intends to introduce legislation to establish this balance on a statutory basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4920/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

The Government decided in March 1993 that Ministers should endeavour to have a minimum of 40% of both men and women among the chairs of boards of State bodies and among other persons nominated by Ministers to State bodies under their aegis. The Government further decided that all Ministers should advise bodies nominating persons to boards under their aegis of the Government's gender balance policy and ask them formally to follow a similar practice. The Government decision was issued to all Departments as guidelines which were further extended in March 1995 to include advisory committees, visiting committees, committees of a temporary nature, etc.

Each Minister is responsible for implementing the Government's gender balance policy in his or her own area. My Department monitors the progress in appointing women to State boards on a quarterly basis and constantly keeps the situation under review. Substantial progress has been made since 1992 in relation to gender balance on boards. Women's representation in all appointments, including external nominations from nominating bodies, increased from 15% in 1992 to 30% at 30 September 2002. In addition, women comprised 40% of ministerial nominations to State boards made during the three month period to the end of September 2002.

While significant progress has been made towards the target of a minimum of 40% of both men and women on State boards, I am anxious to close the remaining 10% deficit in overall nominations. The Government is committed to the principle of a minimum target of 40% representation of both women and men on state boards and has declared its commitment to achieving this target in the programme for Government. In July 2002, the Minister of State with special responsibility for equality, Deputy O'Dea, contacted all Government Ministers with a request to review the gender balance of the State boards under the aegis of his or her Department and to take measures to redress the gender imbalances where the 40% target has not been reached. To ensure progress, the Minister of State intends bringing a six monthly report to the Government on the gender composition of boards for each Department broken down between boards newly appointed during that period and boards already in existence. The first progress report is being prepared and will be submitted to Government shortly. I have no plans to legislate in this area at this time. However, in the event that satisfactory progress is not made, further action will be considered.