Statement: Senator Bacik thanks the many women who attended the 'Women for Michael D Higgins' Event

SENATOR BACIK THANKS THE MANY WOMEN WHO ATTENDED THE ‘WOMEN FOR MICHAEL D HIGGINS' EVENT

Senator Ivana Bacik, Labour Senator for Dublin University,
Thursday 20th October 2011

Senator Ivana Bacik this afternoon thanked the many women – over 50 in total – who attended the ‘Women for Michael D. Higgins' press conference at 11.30 am today in the Alexander Hotel, Fenian Street, off Merrion Square, Dublin 2.

The many prominent women who attended the event this morning included women from academia, the arts, journalism, music, theatre and politics. Those in attendance included Minister Joan Burton, former Senator and Judge Catherine McGuinness, UCD academic Kathleen Lynch, singer Mary Coughlan, theatre director Lynne Parker, artist Bernadette Madden, former Minister Niamh Bhreathnach, former Senator Mary Henry and plenty of others. Those offering support who could not be in attendance personally included writer Orla Tinsley, actor Maria Doyle Kennedy, comedian Maeve Higgins and artist Dorothy Cross.

Speaking about the event today, Senator Bacik said:

“I am really grateful to the many women from so many different areas of public life, both in and outside of the Labour Party, who attended our event today to declare their support for Michael D. Higgins as presidential candidate. Michael D. Higgins is the candidate of inclusion in this presidential election.”

“He has always promoted women's rights and has helped to lead the drive in Irish society on issues such as illegitimacy; access to contraception; divorce; equality of opportunity for women and men; same-sex unions and a rights-based approach to disability. He is the candidate with the best record on promoting the values of inclusion and equality –I am proud and delighted that so many women today expressed their support for Michael D. as President.”