asked the Minister for Labour the number of (a) men and (b) women who are members of the Labour Court.

The Labour Court consists of a chairman, two deputy chairmen and six ordinary members. All are men. The ordinary members are appointed on the nomination of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the Federated Union of Employers.

Would the Minister consider it expedient now to require that at least two members of the courts should be women?

The ordinary members are nominated by both sides. The Minister appoints the chairman and the deputy chairman. My own opinion is that the most suitably qualified and acceptable people should be chosen irrespective of sex.

The Minister will be aware of the court's new role as an appeal court in equal pay claims. Does the Minister not think it would be better and would give rise to more confidence in the court in this area if there were women members?

As I said to the Deputy earlier I do not believe at this stage that any changes should be carried out in the Labour Court without a review of its functions.

Can we take it that the Minister's commitment on equality for women is very lukewarm at best?

Question No. 21.

That is not true. I should like to send the Deputy back some of the correspondence he sent me before his appointment as spokesman.

Is it not outrageous that an appeal court for equal pay does not have one woman on it? Is that not an intolerable situation?

That is mainly argument.

I am asking the Minister if he does not agree that there is need for urgent action here in the interests of equality and fair-play for women?

I presume the Deputy is aware of the importance of the independence of the Labour Court, an independence I intend to defend during my time as Minister. I repeat that any appointments made to that court should be of those most suitably qualified, of either sex, if that be the case. But to specifically appoint any one person to the court for a specific purpose is just not feasible at present under the existing structure of the court.

Any colour you like as long as it is black.

As long as it is suitable.

Question No. 21.

Or is it that the Minister shares the Minister for the Public Service's male chauvinist attitude to women at work?

Sorry?

No, the Minister does not share it.

The Minister does not share the Minister for the Public Service's male chauvinist attitude to women at work?

We are not having argument. I am calling question No. 21.

21.