Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I am speaking to that amendment. I was about to say that while women are certainly not disinterested in politics, many of them may be uninterested in the particular role of running for election and perhaps that is part of the story as to why we do not have the representation that we would like. The question is whether we should try to force the system forward a little by creating disincentives for those political parties who would not have a certain percentage of female candidates on their lists or whether we should try to promote - as Senator Bradford has said - a more healthy political system that is more attractive to people to become involved. I am speaking to the amendment on this.

I know many people who watch our debates and they hear the conflict-based nature of much of what passes for debate in these Houses. They report that this really turns them off more than anything else from either getting involved in politics themselves and running for election or even from taking an interest in politics. I have no doubt there are many women among those who are turned off and who become uninterested as distinct from disinterested in that way. Those are the real problems that we need to address. What Senator Bradford has to say is very much on point when he talks about the current inequities of the political system and what really needs to change. Having listened to Senator Bradford, we all know that if it were left to a free vote, he would be voting against this Bill in its current form. I hope I am not speaking out of turn but that is certainly -----