All-Woman Platform Calls for YES vote on Lisbon

ALL-WOMAN PLATFORM CALLS FOR YES VOTE

A woman-only platform called upon Irish women to vote yes to Lisbon at a press conference held by the Charter Group at 11am in Buswells Hotel, Dublin, today Monday 28th September.

The press conference highlighted the immense gains for women in Ireland brought about by our membership of the EU over nearly four decades. Four leading feminist politicians represented each of those decades:

Former Senator Mary Henry – the 1970s – Equal Pay - Dr. Henry emphasised the importance of the introduction of equal pay for Irish women following the EEC Directive, implemented in Ireland in 1974.

Joan Burton TD – the 1980s – Maternity Rights - Deputy Burton spoke of the significance that EU membership had for her generation of women who became politically active in the 1980s.

Senator Ivana Bacik – the 1990s – Parental Leave - Senator Bacik spoke of the gains for women workers represented by the introduction of the Parental Leave directive in 1996. This has greatly improved the quality of life for Irish parents in the workplace, and for their children.

Councillor Maria Parodi – the 2000s – Greater Equality - Maria, who was elected a Labour Councillor for Dublin's South-East Inner City in June 2009, spoke of the potential importance of the Charter of Fundamental Rights for her generation of younger Irish women.

Speaking at the press conference, Senator Ivana Bacik said:

"As a Vice-Chair of the Charter Group, I wanted to express our support for the equality provisions in the Charter of Fundamental Rights which Lisbon will incorporate into EU law for the first time. It is vital that we support Lisbon, in order to see further advancement of women's rights in Ireland."

ENDS