Bacik Welcomes Former Ministers to Launch 'Oireachtas Women' Picture

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK


Labour Spokesperson for Justice, Equality and Law Reform 
Wednesday 6th November 2013

BACIK WELCOMES FORMER MINISTERS TO LAUNCH ‘OIREACHTAS WOMEN’ PICTURE


At Leinster House, Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomed former Ministers Niamh Bhreathnach, Gemma Hussey and Liz O’Donnell, along with former Senator and Supreme Court Judge Catherine McGuinness, to launch the framed photograph of the Dail chamber taken at an event in December 2008, kindly hosted by then Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue, at which all former and current women TDs and Senators were invited to be present, to mark the 90th anniversary of the 1918 General Election in which women first had the right to vote (and when Constance Markievicz was elected as the first woman TD/MP).

Speaking today, Senator Bacik said:

“Five years after December 2008, we hope to arrange for the photograph of the ‘Oireachtas Women’ event to be placed on the walls of Leinster House in time for the 95th anniversary of the 1918 General Election  on 14th December 2013. We have had a photocall today at Leinster House to launch the framed photograph, attended by former women Ministers Gemma Hussey, Liz O'Donnell and Niamh Bhreathnach, along with former Senator and Supreme Court Judge Catherine McGuinness who gave a speech at the event in the Dail Chamber in 2008. Once a decision has been made by the Joint Oireachtas sub-committee on Administration, I look forward to seeing the picture from 2008 showing all former and current women members of the Oireachtas displayed on the walls of Leinster House.”