Tom Parlon (Laois-Offaly, Progressive Democrats)

I have dealt with this matter before. In this case we depend on the actual gender of the ex offico members. In practice, it works out at 40:20, which, in effect, is two to one. We are not in a position to dictate what the gender of the ex officio members would be. As the Senator knows, the current Ombudsman is a woman and things may change as regards the other ex officio members. In the case of ex officio members who relate to other bodies, it is inappropriate to dictate what the gender balance might be.