Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)

I presume Deputy Ellis is supportive of the Government's reform proposal and our intention to introduce legislation that would have political parties suffer a penalty if they do not, at the next general election, have a gender balance of 30% and 70%. In elections after seven years, the gender balance will be 40% and 60%. The issue of attaining a gender balance in this House is long overdue and it requires legislation. The Deputy asked how this might apply to Independent Deputies.

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