Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I renew a call to the Leader for a debate in the autumn on the need to change our culture and our procedures to ensure that our Parliament is more friendly towards diversity, and particularly towards gender diversity. Many of us have worked very hard for many years to try to encourage more women to enter politics. I am very pleased there will be gender quotas in place for the next general election. However, the use of sexist language in this Chamber is not helpful or conducive to encouraging more women or more young people to get involved in politics. It is most unfortunate when we hear sexist language in this Chamber or there is sexist conduct in the other House. The behaviour and language used in the past few days has been unhelpful. I hope we will have a respectful debate on all legislation before the House-----