Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Women to State Boards. – Dáil Éireann (26th Dáil) – Tuesday, 27 Nov 1990

Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Appointment of Women to State Boards.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

8 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Taoiseach if his attention has been drawn to the recent comments made by a person (details supplied) in which she estimated that it would take until the year 2060 before the 50/50 balance between the sexes was achieved on the boards of State-sponsored bodies, if current appointment practices were continued; the number of State boards which at present have no women members; if he has any specific plans to speed up the rate of appointment of women; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

The Taoiseach

At present there are 69 State boards out of a total of 200 that have no women members. I fully accept that this position is unsatisfactory. The Government have, however, appointed 278 women members to State boards over the past three and a half years. This shows our determination to improve the situation steadily as opportunities to do so arise, and I wish to assure the House of my continuing personal attention to this matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

It would seem that the increase from 10 per cent to 15 per cent in the representation of women has occurred during the past three and a half years rather than over the past ten years. Does the Taoiseach have any specific plans or programme to increase the representation of women on State boards given that most of the major boards have no women representation or the number varies from either one out of 12, 14 — as is the case in relation to An Bord Gáis — or 18? Can we be given some indication that there is some specific plan or programme to improve the situation rather than addressing it on an ad hoc basis?

The Taoiseach

The Deputy can be assured that there is a consistent approach and that is that on all available occasions we positively seek out suitable women appointees. That is consistent policy. This is not always possible because as the Deputy will appreciate, in the case of some boards from time to time when a vacancy occurs and a particular type of person is needed for that appointment — someone with perhaps a technical or other type of qualification — it is not always possible to find a suitable woman appointee but my colleagues in the Government will confirm that I constantly remind the Government and individual Ministers of the need to increase the number of women on State boards.

Mr. J. Bruton

Would the Taoiseach also remind them to resign from local authorities?

Mr. Quinn

Would I be considered in order if I reminded the Taoiseach that he has a unique opportunity to appoint another woman member to the Cabinet within the next few days?

Mr. J. Mitchell

Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn stand up.

The Taoiseach

You mind your house and I will mind mine.

Proinsias De Rossa

Would the Taoiseach indicate what procedure has been adopted to identify women with the necessary qualifications, if professional organisations are asked to present lists of people with the proper qualifications and if the Council for the Status of Women are approached? I presume it is not left to individual Ministers to draw the appointee from their own personal circle. Can the Taoiseach indicate if there is some specific procedure?

The Taoiseach

No, it is a Government matter and Government policy.

Proinsias De Rossa

I understand it is a Government matter and Government policy, but this State has a population of 3.5 million——

The Taoiseach

Excuse me, Deputy, but you asked me specifically if it is left to individual Ministers and in reply I specifically answered no, it is a matter for Government and Government policy.

Proinsias De Rossa

Thank you very much, but would the Taoiseach answer the second part of the question? What specific procedure is followed to ensure that the widest possible net is thrown to get the people with the necessary qualifications? Ministers or the Government on their own cannot know every woman who may have the necessary qualification, regardless of what other people may think of your powers, but some procedure must be adopted in an effort to ensure that the women out there who are qualified are actually sought for the job.

The Taoiseach

Every possible avenue is explored. First, Government Departments are in a position to put up to Ministers women in their particular area of responsibility who have come to prominence, who are known and who have qualifications. In addition, it is known that I have spoken to Deputies in this House, on all sides, and asked them to keep reminding us of suitable women in different areas and sectors. As I say, every possible vehicle whereby we can come to grips with this problem is availed of.

Mr. Noonan

(Limerick East): Does the Taoiseach appreciate the irony in the question which has come from the parties of the Left who have no woman member in either of their parliamentary parties?

Mr. Spring

As long as you do not ignore us, it is all right.

Mr. J. Mitchell

Would the Taoiseach indicate if the policy in relation to the appointment of women to State boards is a recent one or was it in existence when three women members were dismissed from the RTE Authority by the Minister for Communications?