Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

One could agree with much of what Senator Ryan said. However, the matter is spelled out as clearly as one can spell it out in the Bill. The Minister of State said that the Taoiseach said that in so far as practicable, having regard to the relevant experience, one must ensure that an equal balance between men and women forms the composition of the body. It is important that people take on board what the Minister of State said in regard to nominating bodies. If he were to spell out to nominating bodies that they were to nominate three females, two females, or whatever, people would get on their high horse and say they should not be told who to nominate because they would nominate the best people for the board. There is much in what Senator Ryan has said and he put it well. However, it would be difficult to put it into a Bill. The best balance is contained in the Bill.