Bacik Welcomes Labour Nominations

STATEMENT BY SENATOR IVANA BACIK
Labour Senator for Dublin University

Monday 23rd May 2011

BACIK WELCOMES LABOUR NOMINATIONS

Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomed the announcement that the four Labour recommendations for inclusion in Taoiseach Enda Kenny's Seanad nominees are all women.

Welcoming the announcement of Dr Katherine Zappone, Aideen Hayden, Lorraine Higgins and Mary Moran, as Senators, Senator Bacik said:

"I am delighted with this announcement, and it will make a real difference to the composition of the Seanad. I know that each of the four nominees will make a really significant contribution to the work of the Seanad.

Together with the announcement of the other Taoiseach's nominees, the appointments mean that the proportion of women in the Seanad will reach 30%, an historic achievement - and double the proportion of women in the Dail. It is time that action was taken to ensure that the proportion of women in the Dail can also be increased at the next election, and I welcome the commitment in the programme for Government to take action on increasing women's political representation."

ENDS