The Minister for the Marine, Mr Fahey, was sharply criticised for failing to appoint any women to a task force on the development of port estates in commercial harbours.

Ms Jan O'Sullivan, Labour's equality and law reform spokeswoman, said Mr Fahey's appointments to the task force "wins the prize as regards lack of female representation".

The Minister made 10 appointments to the task force, all of whom are men.

Mr Fahey said he found it difficult "to get women who are prepared to serve. I have had quite a number of women say no to positions offered to them. I wish to include women on all committees, task forces and boards that I appoint."

He agreed it was "remiss of me not to include women at the outset", but said he was considering "possible further appointments to the task force before its first substantive meeting early next month" and it was his intention to appoint women.

Since his appointment as Minister in January 2000, he had made 135 appointments to committees, task forces or State boards, 27 per cent of whom were women.