Áine Collins (Cork North West, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill, which essentially tackles two main areas in Irish political life. First, it introduces greater transparency in the relationship between politics and money. Second, it introduces a greater degree of equality among those who decide to become involved in politics as a career. There have been many examples of too close a relationship between politics and money in recent years. The McCracken and Moriarty tribunals both investigated payments to politicians and the Mahon tribunal has reported at an enormous cost to the State. These tribunals have tarnished the perception of politics and those involved therein. There is deep distrust of the current political system among the public. The Government is committed to implementing reform and this Bill is a much-needed step in the right direction.

I also welcome the proposal to encourage a greater number of women to put their names on the ballot paper. I was never sure about the necessity for gender quotas, as good arguments can be made on both sides. However, one need only look at the reality of the present position, which is that only 15% of the Members of this House are women and that this is the highest number in Dáil Éireann to date. I find astonishing that I am one of only 5% of women who, since the commencement of this State, have represented the people in Dáil Éireann. These figures were recently brought to my attention at the launch of "Women for Election" on International Women's Day, at which time Ms Olivia O'Leary recalled that on the day the Taoiseach, Deputy Enda Kenny, was elected the late Garret FitzGerald had commented that while women accounted for 40% of those in the Press Gallery they comprised only 15% of the membership of the Dáil.

Gender quotas have been successful in other countries, including France, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, Portugal, Poland and Canada. Gender quotas were in operation in Canada for a number of years and are now no longer required. It is hoped this will also be the case in Ireland. The issue of representation of women is not confined to politics alone or to Ireland. It is an issue that needs to be addressed across a number of platforms. The EU recently voted in favour of mandatory quotas to boost female representation on corporate boards. Interestingly, it is calling for a 30% quota which will be raised to 40% by 2020, which is similar to what is proposed in this legislation. The EU Justice Commissioner, Ms Viviane Reding said that it would take another 40 years for women to achieve equal representation on boards throughout Europe, which is far too slow for much needed change.

I was struck when listening to Ms Olivia O'Leary in the Mansion House by a story she told about her husband encouraging her to argue from the economic point of view, saying that economics is about the efficient use of scarce resources and that the lack of women in public life in this country is an inexcusable waste of scarce resources. I like the phrase "An inexcusable waste of scarce resources". It is true and sums up the situation perfectly.

I support the Bill which promotes much needed transparency with regard to the relationship between politics and political contributions. It also promotes the greater inclusion of women in public life, which can only be good for greater balance in our democratic system. I commend the Bill to the House.

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