Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I take the Minister's point. There could indeed be a scenario where a local authority is all male, in which case it would be impossible to have a gender balance on the education and training board. None the less, it is important that we be very clear in this legislation that where there is a gender balance within a local authority, it should be carried over into appointments to the ETB. Where such a balance is possible, there should be an obligation to ensure it is achieved. I accept, however, that pending the introduction of gender quotas, it cannot happen in every case, simply because of the existing make-up of local authorities.