Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)

I move amendment No. 4:

In page 26, line 31, to delete "30 per cent" and substitute "40 per cent".

We outlined our position quite strongly during the previous Stages of this debate. I will not reiterate all of the reasons we believe this legislation should be amended to provide for a gender threshold of 40%. We welcome the Bill and support it fully. In 2003, the committee of ministers of the Council of Europe adopted a resolution stating that the representation of women or men in any decision-making body in political or public life should not fall below 40%. Therefore, it is disappointing that a level of 30% has been proposed. According to the UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women, the figure in question should be at least 30% but preferably 35% or 40%. We are asking why the introduction of a 40% level is being delayed. If we wait for the natural electoral cycle to run its course - the Government may wish this Parliament to run for a full term - it could be more than ten years before we get to 40%. The figure of 30% is the bare minimum that has been recommended. It does nothing other than delay the inevitable.

Women play a significant role in each of this country's political parties. It is interesting to note that 42% of the members of the Minister's party - Fine Gael - are female. His Government colleagues in the Labour Party have 37% female membership. The relevant figures for Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin are 34% and 24%, respectively. We have proposed this amendment because we believe it will take more than a decade for us to get to 40% - the level that is recommended in many reports - if we proceed in the manner provided for in this Bill as it stands. We believe that now is the time to be introducing a 40% requirement. We do not understand why it is being deferred. On the basis of the figures from last year's general election, to move from 30% to 40%, in line with the Council of Europe recommendation, Fine Gael would have to find 24 more female candidates and the Labour Party would have to find 12 more female candidates.