Noel Ahern (Dublin North West, Fianna Fail)

When we discussed the amendments on Committee Stage, I indicated there should not be a problem ensuring both sexes are adequately represented on the board. The interim board is split 50:50. Relatively few women have expressed an interest in working for the board in the dispute resolution field, which indicates that not many women have experience in this area. That creates a greater difficulty in achieving the desired gender balance on the dispute resolution committees.

My concerns in this regard relate to the committee, not the board. Members of the dispute resolution committee will serve on a part-time, non-permanent basis and will be engaged for tribunal hearings on a case by case basis. Appointments to the committee will be made from a pool of qualified and suitable people. Given the lack of women in the dispute resolution field, the committees may not have an appropriate gender balance. I do not accept the amendments. More women than men may ultimately become members of the board but a difficulty may arise in regard to the dispute resolution committees. However, the committee members will work for the board and we will try to get the gender balance right.