Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Yes, but there is a need to remind the House that we have provided an arrangement for the next general election whereby every political party will be required to nominate a minimum of 30% of their candidates of either gender, and that goes up to 40% at the subsequent general election. Any party which does not do so will have half of its State funding cut. It is the first serious attempt made to address the serious gender imbalance that we have in the Chamber.

The Minister for Education and Skills met the deputation Deputy McDonald asked me about to discuss the Down's syndrome issue and the matter is under consideration.

I can confirm that the issue of the Bethany Home is being considered by the Government. I expect that it will be considered probably at our meeting next week.

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