Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 77: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the criteria he is using when considering appointments to the Equality Authority; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7725/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The criteria for appointments to the Board of the Equality Authority are set out in Section 44(1) of the Employment Equality Act 1998, which state:

"Of the ordinary members of the Authority—

(a) two, one male and one female, shall be persons appointed on the nomination by such organisations representative of employees as the Minister considers appropriate,

(b) two, one male and one female, shall be persons appointed on the nomination by such organisations representative of employers as the Minister considers appropriate, and

(c) the remaining number shall be such persons as appear to the Minister to be persons who have knowledge of, or experience in—

(i) consumer, social affairs or equality issues, including issues related to the experience and circumstances of groups who are disadvantaged by reference to gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin or membership of the Traveller community,

(ii) issues related to the provision of goods or services, or

(iii) such other subject-matter (including law, finance, management or administration) as appears to the Minister to be relevant to the issues to which the functions of the Authority relate."

Section 41(1) of the Act of 1998, as amended requires that, of the number of persons appointed to the Board at any one time, the difference between the number of males appointed and the number of females appointed shall be not more than two.