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

I completely understand that. Having served on a local authority made up of 31 members, six of whom were women, it was my experience that when appointments were made to external committees, it was almost always men who were put forward. The six women very rarely got an opportunity to serve. I am strongly of the view that where there already is a gender balance within a local authority, we should - through whatever means, whether by directive or recommendation or whatever powers the Minister has outside of the particular legislation - require that this balance is, where practicable, reflected in all external appointments.