Statement: Senator Bacik Welcomes Publication of Bill on Gender Quotas

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK

Labour Party Seanad leader and Spokesperson on Justice

Wednesday 14 th December 2011

SENATOR BACIK WELCOMES PUBLICATION OF BILL ON GENDER QUOTAS

Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomedthe announcement that the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill2011 would be published this week. This bill will require political partiesto select at least 30% of their candidates of each gender at the next generalelection, subject to financial penalties.

Welcoming the announcement of this legislation, Senator Bacik said:

“I am delighted that this legislationis being published this week, and look forward to its introduction in theSeanad early in the new year.

“A report on women's participationin politics which I authored, published by the Justice Committee in 2009,found that legislation like this is one of the most effective ways to ensurethat more women become active in politics. Given Ireland's very low rateof participation by women, it is vital that we take positive steps to encouragemore women to come forward; and that we encourage political parties tobe more proactive about bringing forward women candidates .”

ENDS