Bacik Speaks in Dail Chamber on Women's Representation in Politics

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Thursday 20th January, 2011

BACIK SPEAKS IN DAIL CHAMBER ON WOMEN'S REPRESENTATION IN POLITICS

Speaking tomorrow Friday 21st January at a conference to take place in the Dail Chamber called ‘the Dail of Tomorrow', organised by the Irish Parliamentary Former Members Society, Senator Bacik will address the topic of women's representation in politics, saying:

“I am delighted to be taking part in this debate. I want to see concrete action taken as a matter of urgency by the next Government to address our appallingly low rates of women's representation in parliament.

Women make up only 13.8% of our TDs, and only 22% of Senators overall – we rank at 85th place in the world tables of women's political representation, way below the European average.

What is more, our rates of representation have got worse in recent years. Urgent action through legislation is required to address this. There is a strong case for quotas in politics.”

In November 2009, Senator Bacik launched the Report of the Sub-Committee on Women's Participation in Politics established by the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights. This Report received cross-Party support from all those on the Justice Committee.

A key recommendation in the Report was the need for legislation to require political parties to select a minimum proportion of women candidates to put before the electorate at local, national and European elections.

ENDS