asked the Taoiseach who at Government level in the present Administration has responsibility for women's affairs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Women's Affairs.
3.
I have decided to reassign responsibility for monitoring and co-ordinating the implementation of equality between women and men in all areas of Government policy to the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn.
Does the Taoiseach accept that the previous arrangement in the last Dáil did not work because there should be full ministerial responsibility for women's affairs? They deserve such a post. Is the Taoiseach aware that Ireland and the UK are the only two EC countries who do not have monitoring machinery on women's rights?
It has been suggested to me that the arrangement in force when Deputy Fennell had responsibility in this area did not work well either.
We made a lot of progress then.
Will there be an effective budget framework this time round? I have great admiration for the Minister of State, she is a competent politician but I believe she had an unfair role to play in the course of the last Dáil. In order that there could be advancement and very real change — because there are a number of legislative measures needing to be pursued — could the Taoiseach indicate a proper legislative framework and budget to accompany her role?
The only thing I can tell the Deputy is that there will be a committee, that the committee that looked after this area before will be re-established. I will pay particular attention to their recommendations.
Having regard to the announcement the Taoiseach has just made to the House, can he say whether the Minister of State, Deputy Geoghegan-Quinn, has been relieved of her responsibilities in respect of EC affairs?
Certainly not.
She will do the two jobs together.
Brilliantly.
With regard to the initiation of legislation — on which there was such a lamentable record during the term of office of the last administration — would the Taoiseach say whether the Minister of State, Deputy Geoghegan-Quinn, will have responsibility for the initiation of legislation in the area of women's rights?
Yes, to the extent that it arises. The situation, as I see it, is that the committee which we established — which we had in the last Dáil and which will be re-established in this Dáil——
From which we heard nothing at all in the last Dáil; no action——
Deputy Dukes should speak to his own people on that committee in that case. It is from that committee, in the main, we expect particular legislation to emanate. Of course every Minister of the Government has responsibility, under special direction from me, within the ambit of their portfolios, to initiate any legislation that may be necessary or desirable in this area.
We look forward to that with interest.
A Cheann Comhairle——
I am sorry, I thought I had given the Deputy an adequate opportunity——
Does the Taoiseach not feel that it is a tatty arrangement, which does not do justice to women's issues, to women or to his Minister of State, to refer to this appointment in this way in answer to a parliamentary question? Does he not agree that it constitutes a very poor show?
I reject that.