Women’s representation on State bodies
Hussey raised women’s underrepresentation on State bodies amid wider concerns about women’s position, and asked whether candidate directories would be used. The Taoiseach said the Government was working to improve appointments, acknowledged the difficulty of identifying suitable candidates, and invited Hussey to provide names.
I am sure the Taoiseach is well aware that there is a continuing discrepancy in pay between men and women. There is a considerable lack of women on State boards and commissions; 18 per cent is very low. I am not making comparisons, but there is still a concentration of women in low paid employment. Would the Taoiseach not consider that a Minister of State who is already extremely occupied in Europe, who already has considerable responsibility in the 1992 preparations, cannot herself fulfil the role of overseeing the question of women's affairs? Would the Taoiseach not agree that it is time now to appoint a full time Minister of State for women's affairs to look at this very important area?
Comment on this
Just one point. I am keenly aware of the need to have more women members on State bodies. I assure the Deputy that we are genuinely making a determined effort to improve that situation and I hope to achieve concrete results. I do not know if the Deputy is aware of some recent progress in particular areas but I will be glad to let her have the information if it has not already been published.
Comment on this
I am aware that out of 584 appointments this Government have made 107 were women. I am glad to hear the Taoiseach say he intends to take some steps. Do the steps include, for example, a continual reference to the National Women's Talent Bank and the Women in Business Directory which are at the disposal of the Government all the time to enable them to pick suitable women but which seem to be ignored?
Comment on this
Nobody is ignored. I hope the Deputy will accept my assurance that it is difficult to identify the right type of woman for a particular thing when it arises. Very often after appointments have been made one suddenly comes across, realises or identifies a woman who would have been perfectly suitable. It is a matter that requires constant active application to achieve results. I want to assure the Deputy that this Government — and I am not casting any aspersions on any other Government — are very keenly aware of the need to progress in this area.