A recent survey had shown that the average representative rate for women on State boards was 24.8 per cent, the Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny, told the House.
He said the survey was carried out by the lobby group Women in Technology and Science, which sampled 20 boards between 1997 and 2000.
"What substantial action has the Taoiseach instructed to be taken to address this problem?" he asked.
"Does he plan to implement the recommendations of the National Women's Council of Ireland in its November 2002 report? Does the target of 40 per cent representation for women on State boards still stand?
"Will he ensure that the Government will aggressively pursue this target?"
Mr Ahern said the 40 per cent representation rate still stood in the boards under his remit.
"The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr McDowell) continually raises this issue with Government in respect of almost every appointment to try to improve the representation of women across the boards."
In his own area, most of the boards were involved in discussions with the social partners, Mr Ahern said.
