Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

There were three questions in the group. The first question was whether the Taoiseach can explain why he reiterated last year a rock-hard commitment that there would be a 40% gender balance rule applied. Clearly he has not abided by it. Can the Taoiseach explain the reasons he has not been in a position to abide by it and why the Government has not done so? The Taoiseach stated that the gender balance was 79% in the context of NESC. This is a poor target or realisation of the target given what he said so strongly not so long ago.

Second, how many of the appointments were advertised? We were told on the formation of the Government in the programme for Government that such positions would be publicly advertised. That is Government policy. Were the vacancies in the NESC publicly advertised and, if so, where were they advertised and by what means?

Last year with significant fanfare the Government stated it was radically changing the nature of boards in terms of how they would be appointed. Of course, the reality is very different. Media research suggests the bulk of new appointees are persons with direct connections with either the Fine Gael Party or the Labour Party. It is argued that for reasons of perception the persons concerned often submit an application, but that it is not a genuine attempt to widen the net to include others who are not connected with the Fine Gael Party or the Labour Party.

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