Maria Corrigan (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the ESRI report this morning on the very positive economic outlook that lies ahead. It carries with it a health warning. We run the risk of becoming transfixed by the present economic difficulties and thus missing out on opportunities. What the report tells us is that we must plan. There is no shortage of ideas and plans coming from this House, and from the Dáil.

Senator Fitzgerald raised the question of the number of women involved in politics. The Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, recently published a report on gender equality. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, to discuss the implications of the report for Ireland. The report places this country firmly at the bottom of world ratings concerning involvement of women in politics. Within the Dáil, the figure is 13%, in Seanad Éireann it is 20%. Overall the percentage is very low and leaves us behind other European countries and countries such as Sierra Leone. Even in Iraq, a quota system of 25% has been introduced. We must all get involved. It is not just about what women are appointed to Government. As an insufficient number of women are elected in the first instance, it is difficult to appoint them when they are not available. We have an opportunity through the Oireachtas school programme to do something in this regard. When we are in local schools we should encourage young girls as well as young boys to take an interest in politics because we need a more balanced approach.

Since my appointment to the Seanad I have raised the issue of the legislative deficit that exists for people with disabilities with regard to their legal entitlements concerning decision making. I welcome the fact that the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform is working on a capacity Bill. Is there is a timeframe for when that legislation might be ready and introduced in the House?