Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Fein)

I have long been an admirer of Dr. Robinson and her work, although I was only two when she was elected Uachtaráin na hÉireann.

I was struck by the Hillary Clinton passage she read in her address and the statement that when everybody has the opportunity to participate, the economy will be richer. She asked us to reflect on the participation age and she mentioned the improved gender balance in this Seanad. Like Senator O'Keeffe, I would like to know Dr. Robinson's reflections on female participation in public life and, more specifically, on gender quotas. In her view of the role of elected assemblies in the modern world, does she see a role for quotas to maximise all participation in public life where it is needed? How can we, or should we, change our political system, whether that is through the vehicle of Seanad reform, to bring in, for example, more young people and minorities?