Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 32:

In page 22, between lines 4 and 5, to insert the following: “(1A) Not less than 3 members of the Commission shall be women.”.

Both amendments are pretty similar and seek to ensure gender parity among the membership of the commission. The Bill, as authored, makes few provisions relating to the membership of the proposed media commission. This amendment seeks to ensure greater gender equality on the commission. A precedent for an amendment of this nature exists in the legislation establishing the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, and the amendment would ensure a minimum representation for both men and women. The amendments submitted by me and Senator Higgins are similar in their intent. Amendment No. 33 seeks to ensure that not less than two of the members shall be women, including the chairperson, but in the case where there are six whole-time members in addition to the chairperson not less than three of those members shall be women. It is pretty straightforward; I do not think I need to elaborate too much on it.