Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Well, just in case. There is merit in what Senator Bacik is proposing. I request that the Minister look at it again and perhaps come in with some of his own proposals on Report Stage. There is merit to it and I cannot see why the various agencies could not just nominate a man and a woman. That would be in keeping with the spirit of trying to achieve equality in these types of situation. In fairness to the Government, there has been a significant increase in the number of female representatives on State boards in recent years. That is because a genuine effort has been made to advance that proper appointments system. I would suggest that there is merit in developing this proposal somewhat. Perhaps the Minister would be good enough to look at that.