There needs to be 'systemic change' so more women can reach positions where they can be appointed as CEOs of Euronext Dublin companies, an expert has said.
It comes as Ireland has become one of only two European Union countries to have no women leading any of its listed companies on the stock exchange.
For the first time since 1999, no Euronext Dublin-listed company has a female CEO.
All 31 listed companies are headed by a man after Margaret Sweeney retired on Tuesday as chief executive officer of the Irish Residential Properties REIT Plc.
The entrance to Euronext Dublin - the Irish Stock Exchange - on Anglesea Street in the city, 20-9-20. Image: noel bennett / AlamyThe only other country in the same position is Luxembourg, Bloomberg reports.
UCD Director of Gender Studies Professor Mary McAuliffe told Newstalk Breakfast it is a disappointing milestone.
"Can you ever imagine there would be a Newstalk conversation about their being no male CEOs for the first time?" she said.
"The reason why is because there aren't a lot of women CEOs in the first place and so when those who are in position retire their places are not automatically taken by other women.
"Nor is there always, as we can see, other women coming through who would go for those positions".
A computer screen showing stock exchange finance data, 16-5-18. Image: Wim Wiskerke / AlamyProf McAuliffe said there needs to be systemic change to address the issue.
"It's not a blip - it's built into the system," she said.
"Obviously there needs to be systemic change in order for this not to happen."
Prof McAuliffe said the glass ceiling "has skylights in it occasionally but it is there in many professions".
"Some women get through; often times not enough get through and you have this situation.
"So while individual women are being successful, the idea that there is a broad spectrum of women going up these ladders and going through these skylights continues to not happen."
'Care penalty'
Prof McAuliffe said while some women choose to prioritise other areas, there is a 'penalty' for those who want children.
"Some women do make a choice but there's also the fact that in order for women who may be want to stay in work but also want to have the family... you need to have systems in place, structures in place so there is no care penalty," she said.
"We talk a lot about this care penalty because obviously if somebody's going to have a child they take time off.
"They came back [and] their male colleagues have already gone up another rung of the ladder, etc.
"That care penalty is very evident: that means fewer women are climbing up to where they can be appointed to these positions".
Prof McAuliffe added that a cultural shift in business "that women can be leaders" hasn't gone far enough.
