Averil Power (Fianna Fail)

To respond to the comments of the Minister of State, one of the country's foremost and well-respected experts on electoral systems, Professor David Farrell of UCD, made the point that an increase in district magnitude would lead to improvements in women's representation. Fiona Buckley of UCC, who specialises in women in politics, has made similar arguments. A report was also published in the US on the effect of district magnitude there on female representation. It has been examined in Ireland and people have argued that women have a better chance in larger constituencies, and international research shows that, in general, larger constituencies are more proportional with regard to smaller parties and provide greater opportunities for women. Whether in economics or politics, there will always be differing opinions and experts but quite strong research backs up the argument that larger constituencies offer better opportunities for women.