Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I support my colleague on this matter. Senator Mansergh is correct that there has been for some time broad acceptance of the 40% principle with regard to all State agencies and boards and appointments made by Government. The difficulty is that the principle is not being observed. A range of problems has emerged regarding why we are not getting a larger number of women on the various boards which have responsibility through legislation to the Houses of the Oireachtas.

One of the dilemmas we will shortly have to address is in regard to the idea behind Senator Coonan's amendment. We will have to raise the bar higher, primarily because the level of success to date has been quite muted. The suggestion put forward by Senator Coonan is a novel one, particularly given the agricultural and horticultural nature of the proposals put forward by the Minister and the number of women within the industry who have gone totally unrecognised for a generation.

There is considerable merit in this amendment. While the Minister would be breaking the accepted guidelines of all Departments, he would be breaking new ground and many progressive forces would welcome such a move. The Minister is capable of accepting good ideas. If he was to make his mark in this area, he would be supported.