Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I just wanted to provide clarity. The debate could very easily be completed in advance of that. Senator Mark Daly and many other Senators spoke about International Women's Day. Senator Daly mentioned a 106 year old lady who has passed away. It is a phenomenal age for anyone to achieve. I think the statistics show that more ladies than men live to the age of 100. Obviously, they are doing something right. They are probably living healthier lives than men. We should be following their example in many ways, particularly in terms of health and the ability to live longer.

Senator Daly also referred to the two brave ladies who gave evidence at the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality yesterday. I attended that meeting and I found their testimony breathtaking. That they were treated in such a cavalier fashion by senior management is a reflection of the challenges that have been faced by An Garda Síochána. As everyone in the House will agree, the rank and file members of the force do a great job but there have been serious deficiencies at senior management level. We hope those deficiencies will be dealt with. The Policing Authority has been in place since 2016. There has been a call to take the politics out of An Garda Síochána. The Policing Authority represents an attempt to do that. I note that representatives of the authority will come before the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality in two weeks to address the serious issues that were raised by the two ladies yesterday. I look forward to hearing what they have to say.

Senator Mullen spoke about the issue of gender equality in the context of International Women's Day. All Members of this House agree that gender equality should just happen, rather than being something we merely aspire to. I certainly agree with the Senator's viewpoint on this issue.

With regard to what the Senator said about abortion and the eighth amendment issue, I note that the Cabinet signed off today on the wording of the referendum. That legislation will come before the Dáil tomorrow and will certainly come before this House after the St. Patrick's Day break. At the end of May, the people will have their say on whether the eighth amendment should be repealed. Like everybody here, I hope the debate will be respectful.

I agree with Senator Dolan that yesterday was a great day for people with disabilities, but it is really only the start. I am standing in for the Leader today. I think it is the first time somebody with a disability has taken the Order of Business in the House. I thank the Leader for that opportunity. It is the first time I have done this in my seven years in the House. I think it is fitting that it is happening the day after Dáil Éireann ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.