Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I am not saying that it is. I am saying that we must change.

Gabhaim comhgairdeas leis an tSeanadóir D'Arcy a bhí ag caint mar gheall ar an teanga Gaeilge. Gabhaim comhgairdeas, chomh maith, leis an tSeanadóir Ó Clochartaigh as an éacht atá déanta aige ó tháinig sé isteach sa Teach. Is as Conamara é agus tá Gaeilge líofa aige. Nuair a bhí an Bille Rialtais Áitiúil (Muirear Teaghlaigh) á phlé againn ba i nGaeilge ar fad a plédh an Bille, mar tá neart Gaeilge ag an Aire Stáit, an Teachta Fergus O'Dowd. Molaim an t-Aire Stáit as a chuid Gaeilge chomh maith. I nGaeilge ar fad a plédh an Dara Céim den mBille. Taimid ag déanamh iarracht agus molaim gach uile dhuine as an iarracht a déantar mar gheall ar sin.

I congratulate all the individuals, particularly the women, involved in sport who have been mentioned. Women are coming to the fore in sport and all the plaudits have been given to them. As my party's spokesperson on the environment, I look forward to debating the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill and discussing the role of women in politics. It will be a robust debate. I have changed my mind on the issue of gender quotas in the same way as Mr. Michael McDowell has changed his mind about the Seanad which he initially wanted to see abolished, as he argued it was a crèche for failed politicians.