Vol. 437 No. 7
20 Ms Keogh asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs if the Government has been asked by the EC Commission to reconsider its appointment to the European Court of Auditors in view of its desire to have some female members of the Court; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Treaties provide for the appointment of members of the court of auditors by the Council acting unanimously after consulting the European Parliament. The European Parliament, in giving its opinion on the recent group of nominees submitted by the member states, expressed concern about the lack of gender balance in the group nominated. The Parliament did not, however, ask the Irish Government to reconsider the nomination of Mr. Barry Desmond MEP to the court and gave a positive opinion on his appointment. I expect the Council to complete the appointment's process early next month.
The selection of nominees to the Court of Auditors and their final appointment is a matter for the member states and for the Council. Parliament's role in the process is consultative. The fact that the Parliament drew attention to the lack of gender balance among the nominees and the fact that there were no women among the group proposed will be carefully noted by the Council and by the member states.
