The Labour Party yesterday called for an increase in the number of women holding senior positions in the public sector.
The party's spokeswoman on equality and law reform, Mrs Jan O'Sullivan, said the new Equality Authority should introduce equality audits for all State agencies to focus on the unacceptably low number of women at higher executive level. There should also be an audit on the low number of people with disabilities in the public service, she said.
Despite the publication of an equal opportunities policy and guideline for the Civil Service in 1986, there has not been any marked improvement in the advancement of women within the Civil Service, said the deputy.
"There are approximately 49 per cent of women serving in the Civil Service but representation of women at and above Higher Officer level is at an unacceptable 26 per cent."
In a submission to new the Equality Authority, the Labour Party called for a real difference in the treatment of asylum-seekers.
The party was critical in its submission of the Government's approach on equality issues. Labour says the Equality Authority should publish a code of best practice to regulate the role of State agencies in promoting equality.
The party said it supported the recommendation of the Commission on the Status of Women, that any company, organisation or club seeking public funding or contracts must prove it does not discriminate.