Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I do not control the NESC, the NESF, the Oireachtas, the farmers, trade unions and employers. I always try to encourage the appointment of more women but if I made suggestions other than that on who to appoint I would not get my wish. It is usually a hard job to find relevant people to take up positions on some of the other boards under my aegis, such as the National Statistics Board. I have no great honours.

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