Seanad debates

Monday, 12 July 2021

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

9:30 am

Photo of Lorraine Clifford-LeeLorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I pay tribute to Deputy Bacik. There has been a fantastic show of solidarity in this House in paying tribute to such a wonderful colleague. I was lucky to have served with Deputy Bacik here since 2016. As Senator Ardagh said, Deputy Bacik was a role model for me prior to entering politics. She bravely stood up for women when it was not popular and suffered electoral defeat after electoral defeat but was true to herself and her core belief system. That paid dividends in the end. I could not be happier for my Labour colleagues across the House and for the Deputy. These days have to be savoured because they are a long time coming. I was lucky to work with her on the cross-party group and in the justice role I served in prior to this term.

I also pay tribute to Senator Boylan, who also contested this election, and to all who put their names forward, including Councillor Deirdre Conroy for the Fianna Fáil Party. To put your name forward is always a brave thing to do and to do it in a by-election is extra brave so I commend them. There was always going to be only one winner of the by-election but democracy dictates we have several people contesting it. They have all played an active role in the democratic process and are to be commended.

One of the most striking things about this by-election was the number of women contesting it. I was around the constituency for the past month and to see so many female faces looking out from posters was inspirational to me and, I am sure, to all the young women and girls in the constituency and beyond who saw it. Hopefully, it will encourage more women and young girls to start thinking about a career in politics. From whatever background and whatever your political persuasion, there is a place for you and your voice.

We will have the by-election to fill the place on the Trinity College Dublin panel shortly. I encourage women to start thinking about putting their names forward and I appeal to the Trinity electors to vote for women and give us another woman in this House. We do not want to be down numbers. The Dáil is gaining a female; we do not want to lose one. Vote for women. We need more women.

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