THE Minister for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Bruton, said that on the verge of the next millennium there could no longer be any place for sex discrimination.
He told the Women in Irish Society Forum at the ard fheis there was under representation of women in politics at all levels.
In Fine Gael, women constituted only 29 per cent of the party membership.
He was pleased that the National Executive had set up an Equality Sub Committee to examine the barriers to women's involvement in the party and in politics in general.
This was something that needed to be tackled urgently and effectively.
Mr Bruton said significant progress had been made in the employment area, but much remained to be done.
Women's participation in the labour market at 37 per cent was still low by comparison with other developed economies. Segregation and low pay persisted.
He believed the forthcoming employment legislation would make a significant impact in addressing workplace inequalities.
Ms Francis Fitzgerald TD (Dublin South East) said substantial progress had been made in certain areas but there was no room for complacency.
"Women continue to be discriminated against, both directly and indirectly, within private and public spheres, and within both economic and social life."
She said today's women expected marriage to be a genuine and equal partnership. Women demanded a family friendly society, were entering and staying in the workforce, were walking away from violence and were seeking a place in politics, business and the community.