Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)

The State funding provided to political parties under the electoral legislation is to be used, in part, to enhance and promote participation by women in political activity. The taxpayer is already doing a bit, although it may not be noticed.

It is a matter also for the political parties to do more. I do not want to be prescriptive in legislation and hammer political parties financially in the short term on foot of doubling, to 30%, potential representation by women in the national Parliament. That is ultimately a matter for the people to decide democratically. The Government is providing people with an opportunity to decide whether they want more gender equality. Some of the musings I heard on political reform and quotas in respect of other aspects of life were completely wide of the mark. This is about political participation. The political system has failed to have broader female representation in the Oireachtas.

The programme for Government, which has been put to the electorate and which I, as a Member of the Dáil, put to the masses - not the finite number that elected Senator Mullen-----