Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

That goes for both of us. I wanted to address the issue of women's right, lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender or LGBT rights, and the equality agenda generally at EU level. A number of progressive MEPs in the social democrat and socialist groups are gravely concerned about the drawing back of the equality agenda and the lack of progression and initiatives on furthering equality at EU level. The Irish Labour Party MEPs are 100% female - Ms Prendergast, Ms Costello and Ms Childers - but that must be unusual. Even so we see a better gender representation in the European Parliament. Is there anything more that can be done about it at EU level?

I welcome the chair of Trinity Labour and her colleagues who are here to listen to Ms Prendergast speak. Senator Cummins, the Leader of the Seanad, had to go to a meeting. He asked me to convey his best wishes to the Ms Prendergast and to say how welcome she is here.