Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

If the Cathaoirleach will bear with me, there are only four female ambassadors in the Department, of whom Ms Margaret Hennessy in Greece is the most recently appointed. Ms Paula Slattery, who works on UN and multilateral issues, was formerly ambassador to Argentina. The Department has a good record with regard to the promotion of women. Ms Patricia O'Brien is the Department's third female chief legal adviser in succession. Ms Marie Cross is the head of human resources and corporate services and Ms Kathleen White is our head of protocol.