Susan O'Keeffe (Labour)

It is good to have Dr. Robinson in the House. I stand here, proud to be hatless and a woman in the Seanad. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for standing up for mná na hÉireann.

I wanted to touch on the issue of participation, which she raised. I would like to pay tribute to a group of women who were well ahead of their time, namely, the women who educated Dr. Robinson and me. They were a group of nuns who took the view that women had an equal right to take part in public life. They encouraged me, and I have no doubt they encouraged Dr. Robinson, to stand up and take our place in the public arena if that is what we wanted to do. They believed women had that right.

Today, I would like to ask Dr. Robinson to dwell on the thought that we are here at a time when the representation of women is falling or stagnant in the Houses of the Oireachtas. I am part of an organisation, the 5050 Group, which is trying to achieve 50% representation by 2020. I am sure Dr. Robinson is aware of it. I would welcome her views on whether this is appropriate and whether the Seanad could have a role in it. The issue is of the utmost urgency. I am tired of listening to people say we have an economic and financial crisis and will deal with the women thing later. We have to deal with it now given that 50% of the population in the country are women.

As Senator Leyden mentioned, I would like to support women who are struggling with domestic violence in this country. Dr. Robinson mentioned being in the Seanad means having patience and stamina, yet thousands of women every year are telephoning and looking for assistance. Women are the subject of abuse and violence of all kinds every day and there are still a number of counties in Ireland, including Sligo where I live, Roscommon and Longford, where there are no emergency shelters.

I would like to hear the views of Dr. Robinson on how the Seanad could become involved. We talk about participation. First, we do not have enough women. Second, many women cannot and will never be able, because of the way they are being treated in this State, to be able to participate in public life.