Aideen Hayden (Labour)

It is about ensuring enhanced democracy. It is clear that Senator Mullen does not consider the dominant position of the Catholic Church in, for example, the educational system, which restricts parents' choice of where they send their children to school, to constitute a form of social engineering. Yet he considers giving women access to democratic representation in this country as exactly that. There is a significant inconsistency in that position.

Senator Mullen mentioned the legal opinions of the former leader of the Progressive Democrats, Michael McDowell, as somewhat persuasive and as presenting valid reasons that this legislation does not hold water. I would like, because she did not have the opportunity to do so herself, to refer to some of the comments made by Senator Bacik in her response to Mr. McDowell in the Sunday Independent on 27 November 2011. She noted that Mr. McDowell failed to cite substantive constitutional grounds on which the law could be challenged. She suggested that there was no prohibition in the Constitution against political parties adopting these types of measure. The Constitution does not refer to parties. If I read Senator Bacik's article correctly, she found no reason to prevent the measure from being adopted.

Other issues with the funding of political parties have not been set down in the Constitution and are perfectly open to being set down in legislation. Senator Bacik, an eminent lawyer, pointed out that, constitutionally, this is robust legislation and does not represent anything dramatic. It is a modest proposal. Doctors differ, patients die and this matter may need to be tested in the courts, but so be it. It is an important consideration and will progress.

Senator Mullen mentioned Sweden and the fact that, in certain societies, there is no need for this type of "social engineering". He was right, as Sweden is an equal society that has developed over many decades. Ireland is not an equal society. As other Senators have mentioned, we have not managed to achieve anything approximating the democratic participation of women. We are not Sweden and do not have its type of equal society. I wish we did, as we cannot rely on the organic growth of the participation of women in politics. Therefore, this modest legislation is necessary.

Equal societies generate greater participation by women. According to research, equal societies are more successful. This measure is one of a number that will not only address the participation of women, but also the participation of other disenfranchised people, for example, the elderly and people with disabilities. We should examine the electoral system to determine how to encourage the participation of gay, lesbian and transgender people and others whose views are not represented in society.

This Bill will probably be the Minister's most important undertaking in office. In the past week, he has been subjected to what I would loosely term the septic tank debacle. This measure will set him apart as a Minister. I welcome the legislation and the debate to come. It represents a watershed in society and a watershed for women.