Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Chairman's analysis. All that we can do, even in general elections, is stipulate that there be a gender balance in the selection of candidates. We cannot second guess the outcome as decided by the electorate. There is nothing to prevent the Minister of the day, either the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government or the Minister for Education and Skills, from making a recommendation after June 2014 to the newly formed education and training boards that they have regard to gender balance. That is, however, as far as we could go. If the boards do not take it on board, there would be no sanction.