Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)

We are all aware of the important networking opportunities presented by golf courses and it is disappointing to see the continuation of this prohibition against women. More than 400 clubs have already opened their doors to women as full members and none has ground to a halt.

I support the call made by a previous speaker for the Minister of Justice, Equality and Law Reform to appear before the House. I ask that he address the concerns that the equality agenda is being undermined by budgetary cutbacks. Tomorrow morning, the Joint Committee on European Affairs, of which I am a member, will be addressed by a group which is lodging a complaint to the European Commission in this regard. Perhaps the Minister will outline for us the strategies he can implement to protect this country's equality and human rights so we do not emerge from the recession with a weakened infrastructure.