Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I am not up for dining on red herrings today, Senator Norris.

It was pointed out that the State should be ideologically and politically neutral. This changes the goalposts. This goes against the spirit of things like the McKenna judgment, which were designed to get the apparatus of State out of dictating to people what way they should go on particular issues. This is the antithesis of what one would expect in a liberal democracy. There is nothing liberal about the proposal. While I believe the Bill may advance the situation, because by definition more will be selected, it may not advance the number of women who get elected. It will diminish in the longer term the appreciation among the public of the importance of getting more women elected. I certainly intend to reflect some of these concerns in amendments on Committee Stage. I agree with everything in relation to the five Cs. It is only in the Irish language, however, that the quota begins with a C. I think it is a big mistake. I look forward to tabling amendments.