Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Seanad by-election has shone a new light on State board appointments and whether they are crony appointments. Last Saturday I read a report in the Irish Independentabout appointments to the board of Galway Harbour Company. The extension of Galway Port is a really important development for Galway.

We have been waiting on this for years and the application for planning permission is about to be submitted. I was shocked to read about the appointments, however, and see the gender balance on the board, namely, of eight appointments only one is a woman. That amounts to 12.5%, yet the Government made a commitment in 2011 to adhere to making female appointments at a rate of 40% - on merit, of course.

The new Minister of State with this responsibility, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, recently restated this. How can we believe anything, however, if it has not been implemented up to now?

At the weekend, I was reminded of two fine women with extensive qualifications and background that would be relevant to the harbour board. One is an auditor and accountant, while the other is a legal person. I cannot confirm if that expertise is on the board.

Why have the gender guidelines not been adhered to so far? I am not talking just about gender without merit. Why were the women who applied - perhaps others applied as well - not appointed, given their immense relevant experience in both the legal and financial areas that could develop and advance the Galway Harbour Board's project to extend Galway Port? It is so relevant to Galway.

I seek the Leader's guidance as to whom I should address these questions. Let this be the end of cronyism. Cronyism without merit serves nobody well.