Caít Keane (Fine Gael)

I welcome former Senator Gemma Hussey to the Seanad. She did much work in this area and I thank her for it. She is still working with the various groups that have been set to ensure that women are educated. Much work remains to be done besides introducing quotas. We must get to the bottom of the problem. I will not make a Second Stage speech, but quotas are one thing and preparatory work by parties is also important.

I proposed the use of quotas in local elections. Unless a measure is mandatory and a fine can be imposed for non-compliance, political parties will not comply with the measure. Before the local elections in 1991, in my innocence I wrote to every political party in my ward asking them not to put up posters. I was thinking of reduce, re-use and recycle and I thought we would come to a local agreement. I have learned much since that. If you cannot beat them you must join them.