Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Bill. With the arrival of Deputy Catherine Murphy, I note that women are in the majority in the Chamber given the presence of Deputies Mitchell O'Connor, Doherty, Tuffy and McDonald.

Overall, the Bill is positive. We have some issues with it but the overall thrust is in the right direction. The proportional representation system has been good in terms of electing public representatives. The gender issue, however, has been a significant problem. The current system has much to commend it in terms of ensuring that as many different strands of opinion as possible are represented and that small parties and niche views find their place in the Dáil and the Legislature. Clearly, the system has limitations. The people do not pick the list of candidates from which they can choose, in particular those who run on behalf of political parties, as it is the parties that select and nominate candidates. The people have shown time and time again that when female candidates are selected, and when they run for election, they are as likely to be elected as their male counterparts. The people do not tend to discriminate on the basis of gender and tend to vote on merit.

Certainly, it is not the case that women are less political or politically able than men. Indeed, I am sure many Members will agree that is often the case that the leaders in local communities, associations and societies are female. Women have the same interest in political matters, in advancing their community and in improving life for the people where they live.

Often it is said that men are dominant in rural areas, but the role of the ICA in difficult decades has been instrumental in Ireland.

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