Liam Twomey (Wexford, Fine Gael)

As someone who has held power and authority in the Chamber, has the Minister considered the possibility of allocating a specific number of seats in the House under a list system? The political and electoral systems are structured in such a way as to make it extremely difficult for those with young families to get elected. No one is under any illusions about the amount of work needed to come through the system. The political system militates against women reaching positions from which they could be elected to the House, albeit not deliberately. Getting elected is difficult for everyone but particularly young women. Perhaps we should introduce a list system under which Members of one or other gender would be selected if the House failed to reach a minimum gender balance. Other European parliaments operate this system to good effect and a similar type of system could be helpful here. A list system would allow seats to be distributed on a pro rata basis, the method used to appoint committee members and allocate speaking slots among the parties.

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