Ireland is one of only seven EU countries where the proportion of women in parliament is below 15 per cent, a European Commission report has found.
The study, Women and men in decisionmaking 2007 - analysis of the situation and trends, shows that last year women made up 24 per cent of national parliamentarians across the EU, up from 16 per cent in 1997. However, Ireland has seen no increase in the proportion of women in parliament during this period. Women account for only 13 per cent of the membership of Dáil Éireann.
The report noted that the EU-wide percentage is still considerably less than the so-called critical mass of 30 per cent deemed necessary for women to exert meaningful influence on politics. The European Parliament is just above this figure, with women constituting 31 per cent of MEPs. Almost half of Swedish parliamentarians and 42 per cent of members of the Finnish parliament are women.
Men outnumber women among ministers in national governments by about three to one. Only eight of the 27 EU member states have ever had a woman leader.
The European Commission report was published this week to coincide with International Women's Day today.
In the area of economic decision-making, women were found to be highly under-represented. The central banks of all 27 member states are headed by men. Across the EU, women account for more than 44 per cent of all workers but fewer than one-third hold senior management positions. Latvia and Lithuania have the highest proportion of women in management. In both countries, women account for 41 per cent of managers compared to 30 per cent in Ireland.
The research found that men still represent nine out of 10 board members in major companies within the EU and two-thirds of company directors. These figures were found to be broadly similar in Ireland.
"Progress on getting more women decisionmakers has been too slow. If we believe in the values of democracy, we cannot leave half of the population outside the structures of power," said Equal Opportunities Commissioner Vladimír pidla.
"Gender equality is also good for business. Our economies must reap the full potential of all our talents if we are to face up to global competition. This means smashing the glass ceiling once and for all."
The commission will establish a network of women in decision-making positions later this year.