Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail)

I agree with this amendment. Why does the Bill not deal with local authority elections or Seanad elections? Is the Government pre-empting the judgment of the Irish people on the forthcoming Seanad referendum, meaning that the Seanad is not included in the Bill? I caution the Minister on that as well, because the Government pre-empted the decision of the people before on the investigations referendum.

As Senator van Turnhout said, most of us began our careers at local authority level. It is where most politicians who serve in the Oireachtas start their careers. It would seem sensible to me to apply the gender balance quotas at a local authority level, as that is where most people start out. It seems to be a glaring omission from the Bill. I would be interested to hear the Minister's views as to why it is not included. Has he plans to address that matter? Why are quotas for political parties in elections for Seanad Éireann not mentioned in the Bill?