State ‘must take report on women seriously’

A report showing the slow advancement of women in politics and other important positions must be taken seriously by the Government, the National Women’s Council of Ireland has warned.

It said that while Ireland has one of the most educated woman populations in Europe, this is not reflected in senior decision-making positions including politics, the civil service, the judiciary, and State boards.

The group was responding to a mid-term review of the National Women’s Strategy entitled ‘Towards Gender Parity in Decision-Making in Ireland’, which confirms that women are under-represented across major areas in Irish life.

Louise Glennon of the women’s council said the Government must act on the report “without delay”.

She said: “This report highlights the very real barriers and obstacles to women’s advancement in key decision making positions, including childcare, and attitudes and perceptions.

“Crucial recommendations include the provision of maternity leave for at least 18 weeks, during which a guaranteed vote-pairing arrangement with opposing parties would be provided and a review of the sitting times of the Dáil and Seanad.”

The report found that long sitting hours, late- night party meetings, and the clientele-style nature which requires TDs to be available to voters “day and night” make politics in Ireland incompatible with personal and family life.

It recommended that the Government examine measures to “transform the Irish political system” — including the opening hours of the Dáil — to make it more responsive to the family needs of its members.

It says maternity leave, not currently available to TDs, be provided for at least 18 weeks and paternity leave of one week be provided to male TDs, noting the current Dáil arrangements are “disadvantageous to the personal and family life for members of both sexes”.

With women making up just 15% of TDs, the report said the “weakest gender equality indicator” is in politics, where Ireland compares poorly with other EU countries.

The report says women have been under-represented in politics throughout the history of the State and “effectively there has been no significant increase in women’s involvement in politics for more than 15 years”.

Ms Glennon said: “Ireland has seen virtually no progression in the rates of women in politics, and although we have one of the most educated woman population in Europe, this is not reflected in senior decision making positions.”

The women’s council also welcomed plans to develop a “talent bank” of suitable women to serve on State boards.

It was recently reported in the Irish Examiner that of the country’s 265 State boards, with a total membership of 3,426 people, women make up 34% of positions and 21% of chairpersons.

They make up just 24% of positions in the important economic boards that come under the Department of Finance.

Plans to make all Government departments report every six months on the progress they are making to reach a 40% gender target for State board membership will be “critical to progress and accountability” according to the women’s council.