Anne Ferris (Wicklow, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the steps he is taking to ensure that State boards have at least 40% of each gender, as provided for in the Programme for Government; the percentage at present; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39146/12]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Since May 2011, a notification was placed on my Department’s website inviting expressions of interest from persons interested in being appointed to the boards of State Bodies under the aegis of my Department. Also on 7^th September this year I placed an advertisement in the National papers inviting expressions of interest. Such persons can submit a short note or CV through . These applications will be considered when appointments are being made to any of these boards. It is hoped that this will provide me with a wide range of applicants, including women, with the appropriate mix of skills and experience in the relevant area of work. It should be pointed out that certain appointments to State Bodies under the aegis of my Department are made on the nomination of Representative Bodies.