Vol. 533 No. 1
27 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of persons appointed by him to State boards, task forces or committees since July 1997; the proportion of these which was female; the reason no women were appointed to the task force on the development of port estates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8132/01]
The number of persons appointed to State boards, task forces or committees since my appointment as Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources in January 2000 is 135, of which 27 per cent were women.
The Task Force on the Development of Port Estates in Commercial Harbours was launched on 28 February 2001. The membership announced to date comprises persons with expert knowledge and experience in the fields of port and property management, economics and law. I am currently considering possible further appointments to the task force before its first substantive meeting early next month.
I am fully committed to the Government's policy on the achievement of gender balance in appointments to State boards, task forces and committees.
If the Minister is committed to gender balance, why are the ten members appointed to the task force on port estates all men? Has the Government changed its policy on gender balance on State boards? The percentage of female representation on State boards decreased in the lifetime of this Government and two recent announcements would suggest there is a change of policy. Apart from this Minister's appointment of ten men out of the ten members of the task force on port estates, the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, recently appointed the National Pension Reserve Fund Commission and there was only one woman among its seven members . Campus Ireland, the overall body in that regard, has only two women members out of a total of 11. This Minister's appointment to the task force wins the prize as regards lack of female representation.
I welcome the fact that the Minister may be adding to that number. Is the Government committed to the policy of gender equality on State boards? Does the Minister intend to appoint women in his further consideration of the task force on port estates? Will he bring to Cabinet the fact that there does not seem to be a seriousness about achieving the percentages that are, as we are led to believe, part of Government policy? There seems to have been a serious slippage in this area.
I accept the Deputy's point regarding the port estates task force. It is the intention to appoint women to this task force. I accept it was remiss of me not to include women at the outset. However, I found it difficult to get women who are prepared to serve. Quite a number of women turn down positions offered to them. I wish to include women on all committees, task forces, boards and so on that I appoint. I appointed two excellent women to the Central Fisheries Board and to harbour authorities throughout the country. I must accept that I was not as successful on this occasion. However, I am still seeking to appoint suitable women to this board. It is a specialist board, requiring specialist qualifications and knowledge.
I accept the grace with which the Minister responded. The chairperson of the board is an economist. Given that the board includes architects, engineers, a solicitor and people from various professions, I cannot understand why suitable women are not available to serve on it. The National Women's Council has drawn up lists of suitable women for various positions. If the Minister makes it clear that he is serious about appointing women, he will not have a problem attracting suitable women for appointment to this board and to other boards. Women have proved right across the board their suitability for appointment to these positions. It is a bit disingenuous of the Minister to say he could not find suitable women on this occasion.
I intend appointing additional members to the board which will include women.
