asked the Taoiseach if it is his intention to appoint an additional Minister of State; if so, when this appointment will be made; and the responsibilities the Minister will have.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) (No. 2) Act, 1977, as amended by the Ministers and Secretaries (Amendment) Act, 1980, provides that the Government may, on the nomination of the Taoiseach, appoint not more than 15 persons, who are Members of either House of the Oireachtas, to be Ministers of State at the Department of State. I will in due course, as provided by the above Act, appoint an additional Minister of State.

Did the Taoiseach fully answer my question? I asked what responsibilities the Minister of State will have when appointed and when the appointment would be made. I would like to know this in view of the fact that a commitment was given by his party — and I understand it was in the Labour Party's programme which was put before the people — that a person would be appointed with responsibility for women's affairs. Since this person has not yet been appointed, I wonder if the Taoiseach intends to make this appointment and when?

The position is that the nomination is at my discretion, the appointment by the Government is at their discretion, and it is not the practice to indicate intentions in advance on this matter and I am not aware of any precedent for doing so.

There are many interested people behind the Taoiseach.

Would the Taoiseach agree that there are many areas of women's affairs which need urgent attention by this Government? Given the fact that he has already indicated, as has the Leader of the Seanad, Senator Hussey, and that it is in the Labour Party programme put to the people before the election, that such an appointment would be made, could the Taoiseach make this appointment or does he intend to fulfil this commitment?

That is a separate question and I do not propose to go beyond the reply I have given. On the general issue raised by the Deputy, I am concerned to ensure that the Government and the Dáil act effectively in the sphere of women's rights. I will take the necessary action to ensure that this is so at Government level and I will be proposing to the Dáil that a committee on women's rights should be established so that the Dáil can play its part. The committee will have wide terms of reference and I am sure I will have the co-operation of the Opposition.