Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)

However, having listened to his comments, Deputy Luke 'Ming' Flanagan may be interested that when I introduced a Private Members' Bill on this issue in 2008, I was told I was being fanciful, this would not be achievable and this was a type of social engineering that it was not the job of this House to be doing. However, Members are debating this measure this evening. In approximately one hour's time, all Stages of deliberations on the Bill will have been completed and it will have been passed as legislation. Moreover, it will be on its way to Áras an Uachtaráin tomorrow afternoon to President Higgins. This constitutes a milestone in electoral reform in Ireland. It has put down a benchmark that has been long awaited and that previous Administrations have ignored. At the next general election, political parties will be obliged to have a gender balance of 70% to 30% at a minimum.

There is an assumption in the amendment tabled by Deputy Donnelly that political parties will simply hit the 30% quota and go no further. However, it could well be the case that the 30% quota could be exceeded and that which Deputy Donnelly seeks could come about anyway because for the first time, political parties will be required to respond to gender measures. However, I acknowledge there is an issue in that political parties may simply hit that 30% target. This leaves open the possibility in future Administrations, at which time Deputy Donnelly himself could be in government, for the Minister of the Environment, Community and Local Government of the day after the next election to revert to this legislation and amend it. However, the particular issue under discussion concerns the laying down of a benchmark and a milestone. I note that when it has been introduced in other countries across Europe and elsewhere, it has been found that as soon as the process begins, the numbers start moving in the direction sought. As far as this legislation is concerned, my hope for a future amendment is that a sunset clause will be inserted in respect of this provision because the position will have been reached at which membership of this House reflects the societal balance in respect of gender in Ireland. In other words, I anticipate a time in the future at which it will not be necessary to legislate for such measures, as the desired outcome would arise naturally from the political process. Ultimately, this is what this legislation is about. It is not even about an issue of gender but is about a societal issue, in that as a society, Ireland must have a Parliament that reflects the balance of gender in the public. Consequently, just as I did during the debate on this amendment on Committee Stage, I welcome the intent of Deputy Donnelly's amendment. However, we are moving on an incremental position. I note that other reforming legislation in this House, such as the Civil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010, which also was an incremental measure, now brings Members onto other positions. Ultimately, while I welcome what Deputy Donnelly is proposing, what is being done today is the correct measure.

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