THE Minister for Equality and Law Reform has warned private bodies nominating members to State boards that unless they put forward more women he will introduce legislation on the subject.
In 1993 the Government decided, on Mr Taylor's proposal, that a minimum of 40 per cent of such posts would be held by each sex. He told a conference of the Labour Women's National Council at the Mansion House that from July 31st, women held 34.2 per cent of posts filled on the nomination of the Government and its ministers.
But the performance of other nominating bodies had been less satisfactory: "Many outside bodies which nominate members to State boards have consistently fallen significantly below the 40 per cent objective.
"I am determined to tackle this problem, by legislation if necessary. I am giving a final warning to all those bodies which nominate members to State boards to put their house in order and comply with the 40 per cent gender balance requirement, which is a reasonable and balanced measure to promote appointment on merit, by ensuring that meritorious candidates of both genders are represented," Mr Taylor said.
The conference unanimously passed a resolution from the Dublin North East branch calling on the Labour leader, Mr Spring, and the party "to ensure that the tribunal of inquiry set up to investigate the anti D scandal has terms of reference that are acceptable to the victims and ensures the full truth is established in all events up to the apology from the Blood Transfusion Service Board on October 8th 1996".
The motion was proposed by Mrs Detta Warnock, secretary of the Dublin North East constituency Labour Party and a member of Positive Action's executive committee, the group representing women infected by anti D.
Mrs Warnock said the death of Mrs Brigid McCole had angered victims of hepatitis C. "This scandal must be the biggest of women's issues but Mna na hEireann, the women's movement, have responded very badly to the victims. The women TDs of our party who were elected on women's issues have not given it their full support and I am now calling on them to support the victims and to return the phone calls of the Positive Action executive committee to hear what the victims have to say."
Mrs Warnock said the victims wanted the terms of reference drafted by "Government leaders" rather than the Department of Health because the tribunal would have to inquire into the Department's own conduct.
The Minister of State at the Office of the Tanaiste, Ms Eithne Fitzgerald, said the women infected by anti D were "suffering an illness and maybe a death sentence as a result of official incompetence and bungling" and they deserved "not only free health care and compensation which are on the table but deserve to hear and know the truth".
For many women hepatitis C was "a kind of a litmus test" to know if women were taken seriously. "Women need to know the truth will be found in relation to this."
The Minister for Finance, Mr Quinn, said it was fashionable to say there was no difference between political parties because they all agreed on many issues. But the Labour Party had "led the struggle" on progressive issues.
"We all agree now on proper, sane and rational family planning but back in 1977 Dessie O'Malley and Mary Harney didn't agree with that and they were both members of Leinster House at that time. Back in 1977 the Fine Gael party did not agree with the right to civil divorce: they agree now and I welcome their agreement. And the entire Fianna Fail party never agreed with the progressive agenda that was put on the table with courage in a different Ireland and against a different background," Mr Quinn said.
The Minister for Education, Ms Breathnach, told delegates about increasing opportunities in schools and colleges: "I don't accept in education that the poor should always be with us. I actually believe, honestly, that given the range of talents that people have, the willingness of teachers to teach, that to expect failure in the education system isn't good enough for the system that we hold and prize very dearly in Ireland."
The Minister of State for Justice, Ms Joan Burton, said she would ask the review body on the Garda Siochana to address the low level of female representation in the force.
Saturday's conference marked 25 years since the foundation of the Labour Women's National Council. Delegates elected Ms Mary Flynn as chairwoman. She succeeds Ms Mairead Hayes.