Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)

I move amendment No. 53:

In page 26, to delete line 42, and in page 27, to delete lines 1 and 2 and substitute the following:

"at the general election held subsequent to the polling day specified in the subparagraph (i)".

I wish to speak on behalf of Deputy Donnelly. When we debated this issue on Committee Stage, the Deputy made a valid point about increasing the quota to 40%, and he provided statistics. This amendment is to do with timing. The provisions will become active after the next general election - in effect, ten years after the end of this term. However, if we intend to change the culture we must act much more quickly. There is a defect in the Bill in the sense that the length of time was not anticipated. We had a good debate on Committee Stage, and I am sure Deputy Donnelly can more than adequately go through the detail. If we are to change the culture and if quotas are to mean something then we cannot do so in a manner that could be open to criticism at a later point or that would allow an accusation of tokenism. That is my take on the issue. I am sure Deputy Donnelly will discuss the detail.

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