Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)

A number of Bills have been enacted containing a stipulation that at least 40% of the composition of a board would be female. I am on a committee that is examining the role of women in politics at present, of which Senator Ivana Bacik is rapporteur. I note that whereas Government policy is that it should be 40%, it is not enshrined in the legislation. I believe the Minister included such a stipulation in an arts Bill some years ago. Can he provide a commitment that when he appoints these boards, at least 40% of their members will be female or is this another example in which a contradiction exists between Government policy and its failure to incorporate such a commitment in legislation?

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