Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

While I agree with the sentiments behind the amendment, as I indicated on Committee Stage the difficulty with the proposal is that it is not practical. I am confident, however, that we can work towards achieving the excellent balance referred to in the Bill. As Deputies will be aware, appointments to a body may not always be at the discretion of the Government because they may be nominated by representative bodies. I have encountered such cases in other Ministries and Deputies with experience of ministerial office will have been in a similar position. For that reason, I cannot accept the amendment.

I undertook on Committee Stage to ask the Taoiseach to write to nominating bodies to convey the views of the select committee on the matter of gender balance. A letter to this effect issued on 31 August 2005, a copy of which I will make available to any Deputy who wishes one. I have endeavoured to follow up on the comments made on Committee Stage when the amendment was not pressed. I hope we will achieve gender balance as a result of the initiative taken by the Taoiseach.

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