Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to that organisation, which has been up and running for some years.It has forged a path, particularly for younger women solicitors and barristers coming into the legal profession to engage in networking, ensure that concerns are shared and address ongoing issues around impediments to women's career progression in law. I pay tribute to Maeve Delargy and the committee of the Irish Women Lawyers Association. It was a great honour to receive the award.

I join with Senator Warfield in noting the change in the law in Northern Ireland at midnight last night which brought about the decriminalisation of abortion and a move to marriage equality. Although there will be no immediate impact, these are clearly fundamental changes for society in Northern Ireland and the island as a whole, and I very much welcome them.

On an Oireachtas issue that is not buttongate, like Senator Kelleher I note the publication today by the Oireachtas of the results of the survey on bullying and harassment. Some of its findings would be alarming for any workplace, notably that 20% of those surveyed stated they had experienced harassment, bullying or sexual harassment. That is of concern. Like Senator Kelleher, I pay tribute to the women's caucus which initiated the survey. Senator Kelleher, Deputy Catherine Martin and others did a lot of work ensuring it came about. I join with Senator Kelleher in asking the Leader to facilitate a debate on how best to address its findings, once we have had time to review them, to ensure the workplace in Leinster House is a more conducive and welcoming environment.

I welcome to the Public Gallery a young woman who will go far, Ms Molly O'Nolan, who is present with me. As I stated at the Irish Women Lawyers Association dinner on Saturday night, this is the centenary of the 1919 Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act, the passage of which in November 1919 paved the way for women to enter the legal and many other professions. It is also the 90th anniversary of the Canadian case which put to rest a terrible principle of common law, namely, that women were not included as persons in gender neutral legislation. Those events were not too long ago and it is useful to remind ourselves and younger generations of women of how hard-fought these changes in women's rights were, as indeed was the change in Northern Ireland last night for women and LGBT people.