Caít Keane (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to welcome Mr. Mitchell to the House. I began my political life in Dublin South-Central with Gay. I also welcome Norma Mitchell. They say that in front of every great man there is a great woman. The name "Mitchell" stands for what is good in politics, what is good for Dublin and good for Europe. I remember his brother Jim, Lord have mercy on him.

I have a question on equality. Since the 1970s, 13 pieces of equality legislation have been passed by the European Parliament. Many people do not realise that much of the equality legislation now enjoyed in Europe to the benefit of men and women, has come from the EU. Equality is still a work in progress with regard to workers' rights, women's rights, women in poverty and the career advancement of women. Is the EU as proactive now on equality as it was in the late 1980s and the early 1990s? It is a work in progress in Ireland and in the EU.