Lisa McDonald (Fianna Fail)

Will the Leader provide an update on the debate on gender equality, which I requested at the beginning of this session? Today's report from the Equality Authority, which demonstrates we have not advanced in the gender equality field, makes worrying reading. Senator Buttimer said the women of Ireland had spoken out on the issue of child care. That comment proves the need for debate on the issue of gender equality because child care is not a women's issue, but a children's or parental issue. We should include issues such as child care, parental and paternity leave and domestic violence in our debate, because until we address these issues women will not return to the workforce, nor will they play a political role.

We should invite Deputy Ring in to listen to the debate. Given his recent comments on Brussels sprouts and his statement that women are the only people able to cook——