Ivana Bacik (Independent)

----- the target of 30% is not especially radical for the Labour Party and perhaps it will be a little too easy for us. However, it is different for other parties and this was why the conference of the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, was so important. The conference concluded that it will be quite a challenge for other parties to reach 30%. We want this to be realistic. As the Interparliamentary Union report noted, the key point is that sanctions are in place, that the teeth are in the legislation and that parties which do not meet the required target of 30% rising to 40% will be subject to sanction. This will make the legislation effective. While I appreciate the sentiment with which Deputy van Turnhout brings forward the amendment and I have a good deal of instinctive support for it, I believe the version of the Bill before us recommended in 2009 is a more practical and workable model.