Mary White (Fianna Fail)

It goes back to the proverbial problem that there are not enough women in the Oireachtas, either in this Chamber or in the Dáil. Most of the legislation is drawn up by men and they are missing out on the emotional aspects and the feelings. Naturally, women, as politicians, go for it. There is no question about it. In countries where there is an equal number of men and women legislators the legislation is much more socially minded and far more advanced. It brings us back to the same issue again.

From my document on suicide and my document on older people, my view is that the emotional needs should have equal priority. The list in the section is cold-blooded, factual and bureaucratic. No matter what argument is put up against that, if a few more women were drawing up this legislation, it would be much better.