Ms Eilís Ní Chaithnía:

The NWCI does not really provide training. We occasionally receive funding, either from foundations or through Government, to carry out elements of training. We have carried out training with the Department of Justice and Equality on unconscious gender bias, for example. We have provided training at times, and if we received funding it is something we would be willing to do. However, different types of training are required for officials. Ideally, ongoing, mentoring training that officials need would be provided. There is a commitment in the national women's strategy to build capacity among officials. That is absolutely crucial and needs to happen as quickly as possible.

The best means to do that is to look at what has been done in other jurisdictions and what has worked. Ms Christina McKelvey, MSP - or, Member of Scottish Parliament - visited last year. I do not know if she spoke before the committee. She was invited over by Senator Higgins and the NWCI. We presented to an early iteration of the Oireachtas Women's Caucus. I spoke to Ms McKelvey and asked her if it would be possible for some arrangement to be made between Scottish and Irish officials. She was speaking in a very particular capacity, but I asked her if that would be a possibility. I also asked her if connections could be made between relevant committees in both countries in order to progress the process. She believed that it would be possible to act on both of those suggestions. It would make sense. The same could be said about links between Austria and Ireland because the former has specifically connected gender budgeting into its performance management systems, which is what Ireland is seeking to do. That is absolutely key to the success of this project. It must be resourced.