Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Dublin North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I join others in commending the Turn Off the Red Light campaign for the manner in which it has approached and campaigned on this issue locally, nationally and internationally. This proposal is being made following an examination of the Swedish approach by the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. The Minister and I have deliberated on the matter with various interest groups in this area. The Swedish approach comes from a Parliament that is 45% female. The issue of gender equality in parliamentary representation is an important one. We should think about that when we discuss the issue of gender quotas as well.

I accept Senator Bacik's well-made point that we cannot take legislation from another jurisdiction without resourcing and funding it, providing for a process of training with regard to it and discussing with the Garda and others how it will be managed and how it will come into effect. I assure Senator Walsh that we are not going to revisit this. I disagree with Senators Walsh and Norris. They are entitled to their opinion, but I disagree with it and the Government disagrees with it.