Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Deputy Rabbitte knows how they go up and down. On State boards, the answer is "Yes". In all the names that come before Government, we endeavour to ensure we keep to the percentage. It is not always maintained by Departments and certainly not by the organisations that have nominating rights to boards. It is an ongoing difficulty which does not only concern social partners but many organisations which insist on sending male nominees. That is something of which they are always guilty, but we continue to try deal with that.

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