Irish public companies are exceeding EU rules on female board representation

Average female representation across the boards of all Irish listed companies was 37%, which review group called a positive sign they remain on track to exceed EU requirements of 33% of all board members by June 2026

Balance for Better Business co-chairs Bernard Byrne and Carol Andrews with enterprise minister Peter Burke.  

Irish public companies have already exceeded EU female representation requirements on boards and in non-executive directors positions ahead of the deadline of June 2026, new data from Balance for Better Business Review Group has found.

However, female representation in leadership roles still remains low, with none of the Iseq 20 companies having a female chief executive and only one among all the remaining listed companies.