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Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 22 Oct 2003

Vol. 573 No. 1

Ceisteanna – Questions. - Ministerial Appointments.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

1 Mr. Kenny asked the Taoiseach the appointments made by him since January 2002 to the State boards, or other agencies under his aegis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19556/03]

Pat Rabbitte

Ceist:

2 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Taoiseach the appointments made by him to State boards or agencies operating under the aegis of his Department since 6 June 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22164/03]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin

Ceist:

3 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Taoiseach the appointments made by him to State boards or agencies since June 2002. [23090/03]

Trevor Sargent

Ceist:

4 Mr. Sargent asked the Taoiseach the appointments made by him to State boards or agencies since January 2002; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23989/03]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 4, inclusive, together.

The bodies under the aegis of my Department include the National Statistics Board, the National Economic and Social Council (NESC), the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF), the Information Society Commission, the National Centre for Partnership and Performance (NCPP), the Law Reform Commission and the International Financial Services Centre Groups. The National Economic and Social Council has recently been reconstituted. The independent nominees will be announced shortly. The first meeting of the new council took place on 26 September.

The composition of the Oireachtas Strand of the National Economic and Social Forum has changed since June 2002 to reflect the changed composition of the Houses. The term of office of the other members has expired and the membership is currently being reconstituted.

Mr. John Walsh, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, was appointed to the Council of the National Centre for Partnership and Performance following the retirement of Mr. Maurice Cashell in July 2002. Dr. Hilary A. Delaney, B.L. was re-appointed to the Law Reform Commission on 15 April 2002 for a five year term as a part-time commissioner. As chairman of the IFSC Banking and Treasury Group, Mr. Walter Brazil was appointed to the IFSC Clearing House Group. Dr. David Hanna was also appointed to the Clearing House Group. Mr. Michael Jackson was appointed to the IFSC Funds Working Group. Mr. John Goggin and Mr. Carl O'Sullivan have been appointed to the IFSC Banking and Treasury Group. In addition, Mr. Tom Doran was appointed to the IFSC Insurance Group, Ms Deirdre Power to the Pan European Pensions Task Force and Mr. John Corrigan to the Asset Management Task Force.

The Taoiseach will be aware of the recent UN report which indicated that Ireland lags seriously behind in the appointment of women in national parliaments and other representative positions. The former Minister for Equality and Law Reform, Mr. Mervyn Taylor, directed that State boards should appoint women to 40% of positions. That target is now ten years' old.

A question, please, Deputy Kenny.

I am coming to the question. In a recent survey carried out by the lobby group, Women in Technology and Science, which sampled 20 boards between 1997 and 2000, the average representative rate was 24.8% women. What substantial action has the Taoiseach instructed be taken to address this problem? Does he plan to implement the recommendations of the National Women's Council of Ireland in its November 2002 report? Does the target of 40% representation for women on State boards still stand? Will he ensure that the Government will aggressively pursue this target? Has the Taoiseach any plans to have the Oireachtas, or a committee of the Oireachtas, interview and approve those put forward to positions of considerable authority on State boards?

The 40% representation still stands in the boards under my remit. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform continually raises this issue with Government in respect of almost every appointment to try to improve the representation of women across boards. In my own area most of the boards are involved in discussions with the social partners. In the IFSC companies there is the expertise of the individuals and, as it happens, in those areas there is a high number of women in insurance, funds management groups and so on. In the other ones, I endeavour to ensure that the representation is kept up to the standard at least. It is always an ongoing issue with the social partners to ensure there is representation of women. I think that position is improving and we are getting more representatives. It is a continual battle to try to achieve it.

I have no plans in respect of major appointments to bring forward any arrangement for the Oireachtas or committees to approve those put forward. I do not think it is necessary. We should continue to strive in this area. We had this debate before. I agree with the point made that we should at all times try to get the best people for the boards and people with the highest qualifications and standards. The reality nowadays, given all the regulations and statutory obligations on individuals, is that it is not as easy as it was in the past to get people of the highest standing on to the boards. We have to continue to insist on that and get people of the highest standards.

I welcome the Taoiseach's comments about women being highly qualified in the financial services area. Does he ever discuss this issue with the Minister for Finance? I am concerned at the absence of women from the board of the Central Bank and also about the small number of women directors in the National Pensions Reserve Fund group. Does the Taoiseach discuss the 40% requirement with the Minister for Finance, Deputy McCreevy, because he seems to think it does not apply to him, for the most part?

The policing of the arrangement does not come within my functional area but I strongly support it. It is now happening across the financial area. Many of the key people in the working groups under the aegis of my Department are women. It has been that way for a number of years and is strengthening all the time. I am very grateful to them because it is through their efforts the financial services are doing so well. Even in more difficult times in fund management and in other areas the financial services figures are enormously successful and this country is gaining. I am not going to answer for the other boards. In this area I am not alone pro-women being on the boards but I am very grateful that they give their time to it.

Would the Taoiseach object to women being on the Central Bank board?

I would not.

Tell the Minister for Finance.

We have addressed this issue a number of times in the House. Would the Taoiseach agree there is a need for greater transparency and accountability in these appointments, for a process of advertisement where those with the appropriate qualifications and the necessary interest in the focus of the particular board could apply and that the current system gives rise to the reasonable accusation of cronyism and political favouritism on the part of successive Governments? The change I have outlined here in the past, and again today, would be an important development.

I wish to ask a specific question in regard to the National Economic and Social Forum which has significant Oireachtas representation. Since the General Election of May 2002, is the Oireachtas representation on the NESF reflective of the new political configuration within this Chamber? Can the Taoiseach advise what appointments have been made to the NESF over the period? How many positions have been filled and are some outstanding that have still to be addressed?

To take the last question first, as I understand it the position has changed. The composition of the Oireachtas strand of the National Economic and Social Forum has changed since 2002 to reflect the changed composition of the Houses. The term of office of other members has expired and is currently being reconstituted. I understand the answer to that is "Yes". I will check if there are any vacancies.

My understanding is that neither the Green Party nor Sinn Féin is represented on the NESF. What exercise has been employed in reflecting the new configuration in this Chamber in terms of the NESF? Perhaps something has been missed here on the Taoiseach's part.

I will certainly check the position for the Deputy. My note informs me that the membership of NESF comprises representatives from the following four strands: 15 Oireachtas Members based on the composition of the Oireachtas and it goes on to give the other categ ories. It should have been based on that composition. I will send the Deputy a note on it.

The Taoiseach will correct the imbalance.

The note says it is based on the composition of the Oireachtas. I will certainly send the Deputy a note on it because it should reflect it.

On the Deputy's first point, I do not want to argue it out again at great length but because there is accountability I am answering Deputy Kenny's questions on this matter. Accountability is to the Oireachtas. Whatever the composition of the Government of the day, it has to make appointments to State boards. The position is not the same as it was ten years ago. Now there are enormous regulatory controls and powers. The reality is that if one were to advertise the positions and people were to reply it would not work. What happens nowadays – I am not saying it was lax in the past – is that any Minister will have a difficulty in getting the necessary expertise. The responsibilities to which individuals sign up now are demanding. It is not a question of people writing in but rather that one is out there trying hard to fill the boards. That is the way it is and more so every year.

The Taoiseach should try the other formula and, perhaps, the concern might be unfounded.

Deputy Ó Caoláin has a valid point. Does the Taoiseach understand that boards are not only accountable to the Oireachtas but that the Oireachtas has responsibilities to those boards also? The NESF should be able to benefit from the diversity of political views here and, accordingly, the Green Party should be represented as well as Sinn Féin.

Would the Taoiseach support the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, who has said he would introduce legislation blacking the 40% of Departments which do not follow Government policy on this matter? On boards under the aegis of the Departments of Finance and Communications, the Marine and Natural Resources women's representation is of the order of 14%. Will he support the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, in his efforts in that regard or is the Minister of State to be left to do a solo run on that matter?

The Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, is setting a worthwhile example in insisting that all appointees to boards and agencies under his aegis must demonstrate they are tax compliant. Will the Taoiseach follow through on that for every Department? We support it. Does he envisage the tax compliance requirement being more rigorous than it was perhaps for Deputy Michael Collins, rather than accepting the status quo?

I support the position of the Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy O'Dea, with regard to the 40% and I continually press for that. Many boards, particularly boards for which I answer, the social partnership boards, other bodies, a range of organisations and most Departments now have nominating bodies. This provision has been in the legislation for the past 20-25 years. It is difficult to get many organisations to nominate women. The position is improving with the social partners but it is difficult with some of the other bodies. Whether it is that there are no suitable women, they do not think the women are qualified or there is a bias against them, I cannot say. It is an ongoing battle to get women on the boards and we will continue to press the issue.

I know the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Deputy Dermot Ahern, presses for tax compliance as do other Ministers. I agree that this is a matter on which we should follow through.

Some time ago, Deputy Jim O'Keeffe made an extraordinary discovery. In respect of queries he lodged about prison visiting committees, he discovered that 50% of them comprised former Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrat public representatives.

Prison visiting committees are the responsibility of another Minister.

I know, but I have this question for the Taoiseach. When Deputy O'Keeffe attempted to broaden his study he was being charged €2,000 for information about appointments to State boards under the Freedom of Information Act charges. In respect of State board appointments, does the Taoiseach consider that charges of that nature should apply under that Act? Does he have a view on this or is there any proposal to change it?

The first question is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform while the second is for the Minister for Finance.

I regularly get parliamentary questions on the composition of boards and have even received questions on the prison visiting committees. I have provided full information on the names of people on all of the State boards. The information is available through parliamentary questions any time anybody wants it.

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