Seanad debates

Wednesday, 2 July 2003

Houses of the Oireachtas Commission Bill 2002: Report and Final Stages.

 

Another dimension that just happens to apply currently is that we, as Members of this Oireachtas, are supposed to be setting an example on gender equality. It would send a very good message if the Clerk of the Seanad, who happens to be a woman but who is just as capable as anyone else, was a member of the commission along with the Clerk of the Dáil – one man and one woman. Perhaps in time to come the equivalent of assistant secretary posts will be created. Even in that scenario, I do not want to see a situation where the Clerk of the Seanad is overlooked and where there might be a jobs for the boys type system. These dimensions ought to be considered. The Department of Finance is also the Department responsible for the public service. That is also a dimension of the issue. I am sure it will be protested that it is not the case that because somebody is of a particular gender, this move is not being made.

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