Gender Quotas On the Way - The Electoral (Amendment)(Political Funding) Bill 2011

[Cato]

Minister Hogan has published a bill that proposes to encourage parties to make sure that at least 30%, rising to 40% over time, of their candidates are female. It also proposes to restrict corporate donations.

Minister Hogan publishes the General Scheme of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 « MerrionStreet.ie Irish Government News Service

The Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., has today (Wednesday 8^th June) published draft legislation that will lead to a significant transformation in the regulation of political funding in Ireland. In line with the Government’s commitment to reform the way legislation is debated and implemented, the General Scheme of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 has now being published. The Bill will restrict corporate donations significantly and cut political party funding by half unless 30% of general election candidates representing those parties are women.

...

Minister Hogan said: ‘As an incentive to encourage the selection of a greater number of women candidates, the new legislation includes a provision that political parties will face a cut of half their State political funding if they do not have at least 30% women and 30% men candidates at the next General election. This will then rise to 40% after 7 years. This initiative is a groundbreaking political opportunity to incentivise a shift towards gender balance in Irish politics. I have received legal advice in respect of these intended provisions and don’t envisage any constitutional difficulties arising.’

It should be noted that some female TDs are against quotas, such as Joanna Tuffy from Labour.

[Pink Panther]

Great that they're doing something on corporate donations but the gender quota stuff is crazy

[Cooperate for freedom]

Ridiculous. If the women wanted to run they'd run but some of them want it handy.

Lucinda cretin is no advert but at least she earned her place. Imagine she only got ominated because of a quota? Oh yuck.

[Hooch]

The Corporate donations part of the bill is the more significant by far.

The General Scheme makes provision for the restriction of corporate donations, a reduction in the amounts that can be received as political donations and a reduction in the thresholds for declaring political donations. Political parties will also now be required to submit their annual accounts to the Standards in Public Office Commission for publication. The bill aims to increase transparency among all donations to ensure there is no question of unhealthy relationships. All political donations will now be done in an open and transparent manner.

This is a very welcome move, it's a pity they aren't banning donations altogether though.

[TheRealityOnTheGround]

The Corporate donations part of the bill is the more significant by far.



This is a very welcome move, it's a pity they aren't banning donations altogether though.

Can we have a quota also on max number of cabinet members who are teachers?

[Odyessus]

Minister Hogan has published a bill that proposes to encourage parties to make sure that at least 30%, rising to 40% over time, of their candidates are female. It also proposes to restrict corporate donations.

Minister Hogan publishes the General Scheme of the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011 « MerrionStreet.ie Irish Government News Service



It should be noted that some female TDs are against quotas, such as Joanna Tuffy from Labour.

I have received legal advice [from my female Attorney General] in respect of these intended provisions and don’t envisage any constitutional difficulties arising.’

[shiel]

Just six contributions since morning on this important issue and practically nil coverage in the media.

Why?

[ruserious]

This is a non-issue. Women get elected. Serve as Ministers. And two recent woman were Tánaiste.
I have no problem voting for a woman if they merit my vote. I do have a problem with facing a list of candidates who are there because they have a different makeup between their legs than I. Where does this stop? Quota on skin colour? On social background? On religion? Oh please...

[Dr Pat]

Ridiculous political correctness, no doubt pushed by the "luvvies" in Labour. Susan of 'Brass Knockers' infamy and the Sisterhood must be estatic with delight.

The nanny state is running wild, treating the place as one big creche.

[Con Gallagher]

I can't see anything wrong in having to require a party to have a minimum of 40% from each gender as candidates, before they can get funding from the State. There's no automatic right to state funding. Conditions are fine. This is perfectly good condition, to achieve a worthy objective. Nor can I see any political party challenge it (though a few excitable boys here may get their knickers in a twist about PC thugs). Whatever.