andMrs. Desmond asked the Taoiseach why there is currently no woman member appointed to the Law Reform Commission.

The Government in 1975 appointed four men and one woman to the Law Reform Commission. The woman was appointed on a parttime basis for a two-year term. By the end of that term, she had secured an appointment as a whole-time statutory lecturer in UCD. The former director of research in the office of the Law Reform Commission was then promoted to fill the vacancy on the commission.

In relation to the composition of the commission, will the Taoiseach agree that it should be broadened from being an all-male body ——

I agree with the Deputy, and by way of anticipating a further question on the matter I can tell him that a vacancy will arise on October 20 and that we will be disposed to accept the recommendation of the president in that respect.