§ The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (Mr. Paul Murphy)I wish to advise the House that on 14 August 2004, I will announce a public consultation exercise in respect of a proposed gender equality strategy, the government's high level policy for tackling gender inequalities in Northern Ireland.
This consultation follows our fulfilment of a commitment given bu the rpevious Northern Ireland executive, in its programme for Government (2001–04) to bringing forward and implementing a cross-departmental strategy to tackle gender inequalities.
Copies of the Consultation Paper "Gender Matters—Towards a Cross Departmental Strategic Framework to Promote Gender Equality For Women and Men 2005–15" have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.