Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Adams who, along with Deputy Ó Fearghaíl, has been generous enough to acknowledge that would-be chairpersons come before Oireachtas committees. That is important.

The only board under the direct responsibility of the Department of the Taoiseach is NESC, which has 14 members on the board, four of whom are women. Most members are nominated by the individual organisations and, while one might like to have a balance as close as possible to 50-50, members of this board are nominated within academia or individual groupings. I do not have that control over them.

The Deputy is aware that a number of the appointments made to RTE are made, in part, by the Oireachtas committee which recommends names to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. That is a particular case where the committee is in a position to make nominations which the Minister subsequently approves. I do not have data in respect of any particular Minister but I am sure if the Deputy tables parliamentary questions the Departments in question will be happy to supply answers to him. In the case of NESC, the appointees are either academics or are nominated by individual unions or sectors.

The direct appointment from the Taoiseach's office is limited to public servants at assistant secretary level, as in this case.

Deputy Adams referred to the person in Dubai. I understand from memory that the chairman made a substantial number of trips home at his own expense in order to deal with the questions arising in Bus Éireann. From what I know of him, he is an exceptionally competent person and I am glad the matter was resolved and that the drivers continue to do an excellent job.

In regard to Deputy Ó Fearghaíl's question, the target of 40% representation for women was restated in the National Women's Strategy 2007-16. The programme for Government commits to taking steps to ensure that all State boards comprise at least 40% representation of each gender. Clearly, it is not possible to make appointments until vacancies arise. In 2011, a proposal from the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform to advertise future vacancies on State boards on the website of the relevant Department was brought to Government and approved. Public advertisements inviting these applications state that due regard will be given to Government policy on gender balance on State boards. I have discussed on previous occasions the suitability of applicants for boards. Composite data on women's participation in State boards in recent years indicate that approximately 34% of places on boards were held by women. Progress towards achieving the gender target has been slow and significant deviations persist between Departments. A pattern has emerged over the years whereby significant numbers of women are on boards with a caring focus but fewer are on boards with an economic or business focus. I have outlined a number of examples of exceptional and competent people, including women in particular, who were appointed following public advertisements for important economic bodies. I would like to see that continue.

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