Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 10 Jul 1991

Vol. 410 No. 7

Written Answers. - Local Government Appointments.

Eamon Gilmore

Ceist:

109 Mr. Gilmore asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the views expressed by a trade union official (details supplied) that exceptional measures would have to be taken to ensure the appointment of women to senior positions in local government; if, in view of the fact that there are no women employed as county manager, assistant county manager, county secretary or finance officer, he intends to take any steps to ensure the recruitment of more women to these positions; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for the Environment (Mr. Flynn)

While I am aware that such views were expressed, details of the exceptional measures referred to have not been supplied to my Department.

The senior positions on local authorities referred to are filled by open competition conducted by the Local Appointments Commission. The commission are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and this is clearly stated in each advertisement.

Local authorities are also committed to a policy of equal opportunity which is contained in a Statement of Equal Opportunity issued to all local authorities in February 1990 by the Local Government Staff Negotiations Board. The statement was drawn up following negotiations involving local authority and health board management and unions and the Departments of the environment and Health. The statement covers matters such as recruitment, selection, training and development.