Helen Keogh
Ceist:25 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he intends to have discussions with the Council for the Status of Women with a view to having a list of suitable women for appointments to State boards drawn up.
Written Answers. - State Boards' Female Membership.
In principle, potential women candidates for appointment to State boards, like potential men candidates, are self-selecting as they come to attention through achievement in their work, through voluntary efforts or other contributions to society. The low proportion of women board members to date reflects the difficulties women have had in access to senior management and board positions in the economy generally.
The Deputy will be aware of the Government's intention to change this situation and to bring about gender balance on the boards of State-sponsored bodies over a four-year time span.
There are already a number of lists of potential women board members in existence, for example, that of the National Women's Talent Bank. If the Council for the Status of Women wishes to produce a list I would be quite happy to circulate it to Government Ministers for consideration, bearing in mind that membership of State boards should be drawn from as wide a pool as possible.