Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

Hopefully this is one of the last pieces of legislation I am likely to address substantively here in the House before the election, in any case.

As I said on Committee Stage, nine of the members are elected and, at the moment, 38% of the members of the society are women including two former presidents, the current vice-president and two former registrars. In health care professional grades and professional positions in health care generally there is now a majority of female students. This amendment is too prescriptive, especially when nine of the 21 members are elected.

I am sure Deputy Ó Caoláin will take this in the spirit it is meant but half of the members of my party in this House are female while none of the members of his party in this House are female. It is not always easy to get the desirable outcome.

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