Averil Power (Fianna Fail)

There is no doubt that 30%, or three out of ten, is a small amount. The problem is that we are starting at 15% and trying to double that. While that is a marginal level of progress, it will be a significant challenge. I welcome the legislation, but my concern is that we should not only ensure that 30% of candidates are women, but that we should ensure that percentage is elected. The real challenge will be to ensure that women who run are not turned off by the process and that they get the support they need from their respective parties. I welcome the fact that groups like Women for Election and non-partisan groups will get behind female candidates of all parties and help them get elected. My concern is that if we set the quota at 40% straight away - I wish this was not the overly high target it is - we might make it harder to get more people elected. I would rather see the quota set at 30% and for us to achieve representation of 30% in the Dáil.

I strongly agree with the point made by Senator Mac Conghail in respect of the length of time between getting to the 40% from 30%. I would like to see that gap narrowed and perhaps that could be looked at on Report Stage. Going straight to 40% would be too much, although I wish not. If we can achieve the 30%, double what we have now, and can get women elected to the Dáil, that will be fantastic. We can then move towards the 40% as quickly as possible. I agree on the substantive point, that it will take too long to get to 40%. We should start at 30% and then get to 40% as quickly as possible. Perhaps we can look at a different amendment in that regard on Report Stage.