Statement: Senator Bacik Welcomes Introduction of Gender Quota Electoral Bill

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice

Thursday 2nd February 2012

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF GENDER QUOTA ELECTORAL BILL

Senator Ivana Bacik today will speak on the introduction of Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011. This bill will require political parties to select at least 30% of their candidates of each gender at the next general election, subject to financial penalties. It is being introduced in the Seanad today Thursday 2nd February at 12 noon.

Welcoming the introduction of this legislation, Senator Bacik will say:

“I am delighted that this legislation is being introduced today and also delighted that it is being introduced in the Seanad. The Seanad is the only House of the Oireachtas ever to have debated the issue of women's participation in politics, and the proportion of women in the Seanad is already at 30%, double the representation of 15% in the Dail.

“A report on women's participation in politics which I authored, published by the Justice Committee in 2009, found that legislation like this is one of the most effective ways to ensure that more women become active in politics. Given Ireland's very low rate of participation by women, it is vital that we take positive steps to encourage more women to come forward. This legislation is essential to increase women's representation in the Dail, and to make our democracy more representative.”

ENDS