Mark Daly (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister to the House. This is important legislation on the gender issue and is a step in the right direction; it is not a big step but a baby step. I note it does not cover the local election issue or the Seanad. I realise the Minister may be pre-empting another referendum and we may be "tsumanied" with referendums. As the Minister is talking about reform and funding for political parties being based on candidates for one particular House, without saying anything about this House, perhaps it is an issue that will be addressed by Labour Party and Fine Gael colleagues on Committee Stage. It would be presumptious of the Government to decide the will of the people in advance of any referendum on the Seanad. There is merit also in being a little bolder if the Minister was to consider a gender quota for the Seanad. While the quota might be tied in at 30% or 35% in the Dáil, a 50:50 quota for candidates for political parties at a Seanad election would be looked upon favourably. As the Minister may be aware, commentators often say the Seanad is an ante-room for the Dáil, a kindergarten or a retirement home.