Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. That is really encouraging to hear. That will be a success if the Government chooses to support this Bill and it becomes law. The Tánaiste has highlighted the business case for this and it is important we talk about that too. All the research tells us gender balance is better for business. Irish businesses need this as much as Irish society. Diversity of thought around the leadership table or a boardroom table produces better decisions. It is better for governance, risk and for the whole decision-making process. McKinsey did a report on this in 2020. It found companies whose boards are in the top quartile of gender diversity are 28% more likely to outperform their peers financially. That research speaks for itself and we need to act and follow the example of other European neighbours by enacting gender quotas as quickly as possible.

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