Mary White (Fianna Fail)

We should, as a matter of urgency, address the issue of the small number of women Members of the Oireachtas. There were newspaper reports over the weekend about Deputy Mildred Fox. Due to time constraints, she is unable to spend time at home with her three children. This morning, there are four women and 26 men in this Chamber, a ratio which bears little relationship with the fact that half of the population is female. Men and women think differently on issues, so we need to elect women in much greater numbers to the Seanad and the Dáil. I ask the Leader to arrange an urgent debate on the ridiculous hours — sometimes until 11.00 p.m. — that the Dáil is required to sit. It reminds me of a club in London for gentleman farmers.