Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent)

As I have told the Minister previously, I strongly commend what he is doing. There is a real opportunity here to achieve far more meaningful reform, both at local and national level. A 30% change would simply require Fine Gael to field another 13 female candidates and the Labour Party to field another five female candidates. There are 2.25 million women living in Ireland and 42% of the Minister's party membership is composed of women. Given the relatively modest changes that would be required to move quickly to 40%, which would result in a fantastic change, is it not a reasonable thing to do now?

Second, if we accept the logic the Minister has used for the changes at national level, the same logic should apply to local government. It would also make it easier for female candidates at national level. I am new to politics but it is abundantly clear that sitting councillors and Deputies have a huge advantage over others when running for election. Would it not make more sense both in principle, for the same reason the Minister is applying it nationally, and in practice, to achieve greater female representation, to have it enforced at local level as well as national level?

See this speech in context