Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I acknowledge the efforts of the Minister of State and thank him for bringing this legislation through the House. I acknowledge also the support of all the Deputies who are in the Chamber. This is most progressive legislation and it will have very practical, positive effects for councillors. In Kerry, I experienced the case of a young councillor who should not have had to worry about the council element of her life because she was going through such an important event in the arrival of a baby, but she did. Unfortunately, that was the case until now, but the Bill will change everything and that is important. It will be one fewer barrier to the entry of more women into our local authorities. The role of councillors in our democracy is so important and we need to do everything we can to ensure any barriers that will deter people, from any background or in any circumstances, from considering putting their names forward for election at local level will be overcome, and the Bill is overcoming one very significant such barrier.

I commend the Minister of State on getting the Bill through and again acknowledge the support of all the Deputies.

See this speech in context