Mary White (Fianna Fail)

As spokesperson on trade and commerce on the Government side of the House, I refer Members to a report in the business section of the Sunday Independent which reported that a survey carried out for that newspaper showed that 40% of chief executives believe that women will never achieve equality and equal representation on boards. Furthermore, 46% of chief executives stated that it would be ten years before they would achieve it.

Will the Leader invite the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment to the House to discuss this serious matter? According to figures released last year, only 5% of the top 100 Irish companies have women board members whereas in the State sector women account for 32% of membership of State boards. Chief executives and chairmen of boards must set targets and achieve them. They must have a passionate will to ensure equal representation of women on their boards.

I support the Equality Authority's expression of sadness at the High Court decision late last week that women could not have full parity with the male members of Portmarnock Golf Club, where all the networking for board appointments takes place. This is particularly true of golf outings.