225 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Defence if mechanisms exist to ensure that interview boards established under the auspices of his Department and which comprise two or more persons are gender balanced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22358/04]

Every effort is made to ensure that all interview boards, including those for civil service, Defence Forces and civilian employees promotion competitions in the Department of Defence are gender balanced, especially, where women candidates are included in the applicant group.