Imelda Henry (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister and take this opportunity to welcome the new legislation. I know there are mixed views on quotas but we know this is necessary to address the problems facing female participation in politics. Unfortunately, politics in this country has always been dominated by men, although we have seen changes in the number of female doctors, engineers, architects, as well as those in other professions. We must encourage more women into political life and change the environment in which they would operate.

The main problem for some women, particularly those outside Dublin, is their families. It can be difficult for young mothers to put themselves forward, leave home and base themselves in Dublin for three days. Men cannot have babies, thank God, but they can do everything else. Some 45% of the Swedish Parliament consists of women and one would often see men pushing prams while women are debating. Equality in Sweden starts in school, as boys and girls are given the same opportunities, with girls outperforming boys in education. Almost half of the PhDs awarded today in Sweden go to women. An important factor in Swedish equality is parental leave, and new fathers get ten days off work when the child is born before sharing with their partner a further 480 days of paid parental leave. This allows women to continue to pursue their careers and facilitates men in playing a larger role in their children's formative years.

Men and women must have a choice. I was a candidate for the general election in 2007 and the rest of the field in the constituency consisted of nine men. Some people believe that women vote for women but research shows this is untrue. We must give people the choice of voting for the best candidate, male or female. I hope political parties will not use this as a token gesture to women, and when women are on the ballot paper to run for the general election, all parties should give the encouragement and support to ensure election.