Ms Ann Irwin:

I note the debate about the principles that should inform society and the National Women’s Council would really welcome a debate on principles such as equality, gender equality and social inclusion. There are other countries to which we can look as examples, not just Argentina. When Iceland, for example, was coming out of its recession, it prioritised equality and social inclusion. I absolutely understand that its currency situation, etc., was different from here. If, however, one studies Iceland’s figures, as we have done, and compares the deciles with Ireland, here those with least have lost most whereas in Iceland it was the opposite, those with most lost most. There is a way of doing this and we would encourage that debate as the starting point of recovery in Ireland.

When Iceland was coming out of recession the Prime Minister was a woman and half of the cabinet were women. I will let the committee make what it will of that fact.