Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Senator Black on showing the film last night. I am sorry that I could not go as I was here in the Chamber for the debate on the Domestic Violence Bill. I agree with her on the need to ensure we have that declaration from the Government. I have long supported that principle, as indeed has the Labour Party.

I ask the Leader for a debate on women in politics, and in particular on gender balance in Cabinet. I very much welcomed, as we all did, the visit to Ireland of Mr. Justin Trudeau, the Prime Minister of Canada. It was good to see the Canadian Premier visiting here, particularly given the long-standing ties and relationship between Ireland and Canada. While the Taoiseach, Deputy Varadkar, was paying tribute to Canada by wearing Canadian-themed socks, perhaps a better tribute would have been had he tried to emulate the Canadian Prime Minister's commitment to gender equality in having a gender-balanced Cabinet and in upholding gender parity as a principle in practice, as well as in theory.I was very disappointed to hear the Taoiseach say that while he is a feminist - although he went on to qualify that definition - he will seek to move towards a gender-balanced Cabinet over the next few years. That is simply not good enough when one can see in the governments of Emmanuel Macron in France and Justin Trudeau in Canada that a gender-balanced cabinet is very easy to achieve without delay.

I also call for a debate on inward migration. In particular, I ask for the Minister for Justice and Equality to come to the House to update us on the Irish programme for the settlement of refugees coming into Europe through Italy and Greece. We heard this morning a very heartfelt plea from the Italian ambassador who said his country has done a great deal to welcome refugees who have made the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean and that other European countries must do their share too. This is an area in which we can learn from Canada, which has a long and proud history of welcoming inward migration. I ask for a debate on that early in the next term if we do not have time for it in this one.

I also ask for a debate on cycling safety with the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Ross. Very disturbing figures were released earlier which indicate that over 100 cyclists are seriously hurt in collisions each year. That is based on Road Safety Authority, RSA, figures. In the first six months of this year alone, ten cyclists have been killed. There is really serious concern about the safety of cyclists, particularly in the context of the Luas works. I am aware of the issue personally because I cycle through the city centre every day. It is very dangerous for cyclists to come into contact with Luas tracks. When will we see progress on the Bill tabled by Deputies Cannon and Regina Doherty on minimum passing distances, which is a crucial cycling safety measure?