Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy is referring to elections, which are a slightly different matter. It still seems to be the case that economic committees and boards tend to me more male. I am not sure why that is - actually I know why that is, but it is not right. I got the first report a couple of weeks ago. It shows progress and that the percentage of women serving on company boards has increased in those companies which had none, or where representation was very low. That is positive and we will stick with it.

On the gender pay gap, the legislation now falls to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman, following the change around. That area moved with equality to the Minister's new Department. We need to get that work done. As the Deputy knows, it will require companies to report on their gender pay gap and also to produce plans to close the gap. The reason the gap exists is complex and I will not use our short time talking about it. We really need to get that legislation done next year. I am disappointed we did not get it done this year but we lost months because of other things.

On the issue of equality budgeting, the Department was one of the first to pilot the equality budgeting programme, and we are going to continue to progress our equality metrics in relation to all of our programmes.

To return to the Balance for Better Business initiative, it has been suggested that I mention - I think it is a good idea that I do so - that we are not just going to look at the issue of female representation on boards but also in senior management positions, which is just as important, if not more important.