asked the Taoiseach the number of women who are currently members of the boards of semi-State companies or State bodies; the percentage of the overall membership of such boards this represents; if the Government have any plans to increase the number of women appointed to such positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Women Board Members.
2.
Currently there are 298 women serving on the boards of semi-State companies and State bodies, which represents 13.5 per cent of the total board membership of 2,205. Of the total membership of 2,205, Government appointees number 1,476, of which 235 or 16 per cent are women.
The appointment of women to the boards of State-sponsored bodies is probably the most effective means open to the Government to incorporate women into the decision making process. Ministers take account of this as a significant factor when nominating candidates for appointment and the Government are committed to a policy of appointing qualified women to these positions to the greatest extent possible.
Have any people been appointed to boards since last January when I last asked this question because there seems to have been very little progress regarding the appointment of women to boards based on the figures given by the Taoiseach on 25 January 1989 and those given today? There has been no movement in the appointment of women to boards by the Government.
The position this year, as the Deputy knows, was interrupted by certain events and, therefore, the number of appointments did not follow the normal pattern. I should like to assure the Deputy that my colleagues and I make every attempt as the occasion arises to appoint suitably qualified women to boards of State companies.
A Deputy
What about the Seanad?
Without departing from my traditional modesty I would say that my record in this regard is better than that of anyone else in this House.
Hear, hear.
In the light of the lamentably slow process of increasing the percentage and proportion of women on State and semi-State bodies, will the Government agree that a plan of affirmative action should be seriously considered by every Government Department and that a directive should be conveyed to the other nominating bodies in regard to this matter? In view of the Taoiseach's reputation I ask him to acknowledge the lack of female personnel in these areas and as he has not nominated his members for the Seanad, that there will be a high level of female appointees.
The Deputies are dealing with a serious matter.
I asked the Taoiseach if there had been any appointments since January of this year and he did not specifically reply to that question. However, from the figures he has given there are now seven fewer women on State boards than there were at the beginning of the year, 242 in January of this year and 235 today.
The Deputy seems to be imparting information rather than seeking it.
The Taoiseach gave a number of 235 at present and the corresponding number in January was 242. Will the Taoiseach explain why there are seven fewer women in those appointed by his Government?
There are a number of vacancies——
Does the Taoiseach intend to fill them?
Question No. 3, please, Deputy Fennell's question.
Does the Taoiseach intend to appoint women to those vacancies?
As far as qualified women are available, to the greatest extent possible.
I have called Question No. 3.