Dáil debates
Wednesday, 4 May 2005
Ceisteanna — Questions (Resumed).
Appointments to State Boards.
4:00 pm
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 1: To ask the Taoiseach the names, occupations and dates of appointment of persons appointed by him to State boards and other agencies since June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8772/05]
Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 2: To ask the Taoiseach if he will list all those appointed to State boards or other agencies operating under the aegis of his Department since June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11820/05]
Trevor Sargent (Dublin North, Green Party)
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Question 3: To ask the Taoiseach if he will report on his appointments to State boards and other agencies since June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11883/05]
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, together.
I refer the Deputy to the reply I gave to a similar question on 5 October 2004. I am circulating in the Official Report a table showing the appointments which have been made since then.
| State Board-Agency | Name of Appointee | Occupation-Organisation | Date of Appointment |
| National Economic and Social Forum | — | — | — |
| There have been no new independent appointments to the NESF since its reconstitution in early 2004. The changes in membership are as a result of internal re-organisation in the bodies concerned. | |||
| Strand (ii) Employer-Trade Unions | — | — | — |
| Employer-Business Organisations | Maria Cronin | IBEC | October-November 2004 (replaced Jackie Harrison) |
| Strand (iii) Community and Voluntary Sector | — | — | — |
| Disadvantaged | Audrey Deane | Society of Saint Vincent de Paul | November 2004 (replaced John-Mark McCafferty) |
| Strand (iv) Central Government, Local Government and Independents | — | — | — |
| Local Government | Councillor Ger Barron | General Council of County Councils | November 2004 (replaced Cllr. John Egan) |
| Councillor Jack Crowe | General Council of County Councils | November 2004 (replaced Cllr. Patsy Treanor) | |
| John Tierney | County and City Managers Association | November 2004 (replaced Donal O'Donoghue) | |
| Law Reform Commission | — | — | — |
| President | Mrs. Justice Catherine McGuinness | Judge of the Supreme Court | 22 February 2005 (replaced The Hon. Mr. Justice Declan Budd) |
| Marian Shanley | Solicitor | Re-appointed 12 November 2004 | |
| National Economic and Social Council | — | — | — |
| Dr. Sean Barrett | Economic Consultant | January 2005 (replaced Mr. Colin Hunt) |
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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When Mr. Mervyn Taylor, a former Labour Party Deputy, was Minister for Equality and Law Reform in the rainbow Government more than ten years ago, he directed that at least 40% of seats on State boards be allocated to women. We are some distance from achieving this figure on many State boards. For instance, the board of the National Economic and Social Council, which falls under the Taoiseach's Department, has six women compared with 26 men. How does the Taoiseach expect his Ministers to be guided by a 40% recommendation when there is such a clear failure to achieve the target in an organisation connected to his Department?
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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To which board does the Deputy refer?
Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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I refer to the board of the National Economic and Social Council which is composed of 26 men and six women.
Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)
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I believe the overall figure for women on boards is approximately 40%. The figure for the NESF is 44% and the figure mentioned by the Deputy probably refers to the NESC. The big problem regarding the boards for which I have responsibility, those which come under social partnership and outside organisations, is getting the nominating groups to appoint women. This is an ongoing battle. We have been trying across a number of areas to get the nominating bodies to give us three names or panels of names from which we can choose. As regards the boards over which we have control, we certainly endeavour to make sure we meet the target. Having been involved in this for some time, it is a struggle and a half to get the social partnerships to achieve anywhere near the 40% figure.