As a woman in the workplace I don’t want to be distinguished from my male counterparts; I feel I can do just as good a job and I am equally as capable. However, this is just not possible. I am not the same as the men I work with, I am not inferior but I am different. Women simply are not adequately represented in senior positions in the business world or as representatives in public life, and major changes are needed to tackle the deficit of female representation.
This Government recognises that change is needed and we have taken action to address this by introducing gender quotas for the next General Election. For the first time 30% of the candidates on the ticket will be female. I know many women feel gender quotas are unnecessary and distasteful; they don’t want to be token members on boards or to feel they were unduly elevated simply because the company they work for, or the party they are a member of, needs more women. However I do not accept that this is the case. I believe that there are women out there to fill the top positions, we just need to encourage them to come forward. Women in Ireland are the most educated in EU and we need to ask ourselves why they are not making it to senior positions.
The introduction of gender quotas for state boards has meant that in six years female representation has gone from 10% to 40%. Advancing this project further, each Government Department that has not yet reached 40% has been asked to prepare a plan to reaffirm their commitment to reacht he target during the lifetime of this Government. In order to support the delivery of the Government’s target on gender equality on State Boards, the Department of Justice and Equality will set up a pilot project for the development of a Talent Bank of women who would be prepared to serve on State Boards.
It is an internationally accepted fact that diverse companies, diverse boards and diverse Governments achieve the best results and this is the goal we are pursuing. During Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington’s recent case in the Equality Court it was found that in a corporate setting, men had a one in two chance of promotion, while the women who apply for the same promotion have less than a one in three chance. In companies where women are in the majority, senior positions are still predominantly held by men. This needs to change.
Only this week in Germany, one of the world’s most developed economies, it was confirmed that frauenquote, Women’s quotas, will mean that 30% of the country’s top boards must comprise of women. Writing in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, commentator Heribert Prantl said frauenquote are not the introduction of quotas, rather they are breaking through existing quotas … they are a tool to establish sensible standards. Just as children learn to swim with armbands, so the women’s quotas are the armbands of society.”
At present there are 27 women and 139 men in Dáil Éireann, this is a record for female representation. In the history of this state there have only ever been 14 female Ministers. There is something seriously wrong with these statistics. Gender quotas aim to encourage women who have the ability to come forward and assure them that they will have the opportunity to represent their constituency or to serve on a State Board.
We know that Irish women have the skills but we also know that there are reasons why they are not putting themselves forward. Many women feel they cannot commit to the responsibility that comes with these positions and balance their family lives at the same time. There is no doubt that there is merit in this argument. However, until more women are in these positions, nothing will change. Gender quotas will fast-track the process of involving women in Irish public life and in State Boards, like Heribert Prantl said they are our armbands until this becomes the norm and equal representation comes natuarally in all areas. This Government has done more than any before us to address the issue of gender equality and quotas are just the starting point to bring us to the finish line of truly representating the Irish population.
Posted: February 3, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Government commits to minimum unit alcohol price to tackle alcohol abuse
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday) said proposals signed off by the Government today will reduce irresponsible alcohol consumption in this country and reduce the harm associated with the wide-spread misuse of alcohol.
“The Public Health (Alcohol) Bill 2015 contains far reaching measures to tackle the widespread problem of alcohol misuse in this country.
“I particularly welcome the proposal to make it illegal to sell alcohol at a price below a set minimum price. The minimum unit price will be set at a level which evidence shows will reduce the burden of harm from alcohol. A minimum unit price for alcohol is something I have been campaigning heavily for.
“Minimum unit pricing is a targeted measure that is able target cheaper alcohol relative to its strength because the minimum price is determined by and is directly proportional to the amount of pure alcohol in the drink.
“For the first time alcohol is being addressed as a public health measure which makes this a legislative milestone. It deals with all of the important aspects that must be addressed including price, availability, information and marketing.
“I believe many people have a problem with alcohol. It is killing three people every week and that is too much. The facts about our alcohol consumption do not tally with the relationship we think we have with it. I don’t say this as a killjoy or puritan, but as a mother, a concerned member of a community and a public representative.
“There are almost two and a half million people in Ireland who drink. Over half of these drink harmfully and excessively, that is 1.24 million people. Every night, 2,000 hospital beds are occupied for alcohol related reasons.
“I believe that minimum unit pricing is a key part of the Government’s strategy to deal with alcohol misuse and is the one measure that will make the most difference most quickly.
“There is an urgent need for a major sea-change and in how we view our national relationship with alcohol. I believe that minimum unit pricing will help to achieve that in conjunction with the wider approach of these proposals.”
Last Updated: January 27, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Post Office Development Group will help secure the future of local Post Offices
Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said today (Tuesday) that the new Post Office Business Development Group must find solutions that contribute to the continued success of the nationwide Post Office network. The group, chaired by Bobby Kerr, meets tomorrow for the first time.
“This new Post Office Development Group is an opportunity to examine the potential of the Post Office network and identify new business opportunities that will ensure that our Post Offices across the country remain viable businesses.
“The Group is one of the results of a Government review of our post office network. The Government is moving towards making our Post Offices the front office of government and the network has already adapted extremely well to changing times by taking on the social welfare contract and offering new services such as foreign exchange, banking, tax payment and passport services.
“This new Business Development Group will seek ways to increase the level of government and commercial business going through our post offices. The group will include representation from the Government, An Post and the Irish Postmasters’ Union (IPU).
“This new strategy is going to increase the level of business in our Post Offices and will secure their future.”
Last Updated: February 5, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Mortgage rules must not be an unfair solution to a problem young home buyers did not create
“Any new mortgage rules should be phased in and should not hit people who have saved up and who are near to a viable deposit,” says to Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire.
“New Central Bank rules need to be phased in over time and not penalise people who have spent years saving and have nearly reached their goal of a viable deposit. We cannot hit these people just as they thought they were home.
“For example, phasing in the proposed new lending rules at 2% to 2.5% over the coming four to five years would mean an additional €5,380 to €6,725 deposit that would be required next year, rather than the additional €26,900 currently envisioned, going from 10% deposit to 20%. That’s on an average Dublin house price of €269,000
“Doubling the deposit rate would be an unfair measure to solve a problem these young house buyers did not create. Canada, which has largely avoided the global property related downturn, introduced reinforced deposit rules, but did it through an insurance system rather than sticking a big cash bill onto ordinary buyers.
“This insurance covers the difference between the cash deposit that the buyer can afford, and the mandatory minimum deposit set down by the central bank. This spreads the risk of default, which achieves what the central bank is seeking to do.
“The ultimate solution to rising house prices is housing supply. More houses meet demand and this in turn drives house prices and rent down, making it easier to save for a more affordable mortgage and ultimately make home ownership more affordable.
“We need a task force to combat the supply problem, bringing together planning agencies, the councils and relevant government departments, NAMA and house builders, to ensure that the houses we need get built as quickly as possible, and to a high standard. There are 6,400 acres of zoned serviced land available in Dublin for 132,000 units, and more developments could be planned if required. Taxes and levies need to be simplified and the system of getting permission for a project streamlined.”
Last Updated: January 28, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Proposed Road Safety Improvement Scheme for Cross Avenue, Booterstown
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council’s Traffic Section have developed a road safety improvement scheme for Cross Avenue, Booterstown, Co. Dublin.
Plans and particulars of the proposed Scheme will be available for inspection on www.dlrcoco.ie and in the Blackrock Public Library and in County Hall, Marine Road, Dún Laoghaire.
Proposed Traffic Management Scheme for Cross Avenue, Booterstown (pdf -556kb)
This road safety improvement scheme is being proposed in order to create a safer environment for all road users including vulnerable road users and children attending the schools nearby. The scheme will consist of a raised uncontrolled crossing point and the installation of flashing amber lights, alterations to kerb lines, road widths and new road markings.
Submissions or observations with respect to the proposed Scheme may be made in writing on or before Wednesday 18th February 2015.
Addressed to:-
Senior Engineer,
Transportation & Water Services Department,
Traffic and Road Safety Section,
Dún Laoghaire Rathdown County Council,
County Hall,
Marine Road,
Dún Laoghaire,
County Dublin.
or by e-mail to traffic@dlrcoco.ie
Posted: January 23, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Payday for people of Dún Laoghaire first chance to feel effect of tax and USC changes
“Today is the first payday of the year for many people in Dún Laoghaire and it will be the first chance to feel the effect of changes made in Budget 2015 which will give money back” says Mitchell O’Connor TD, for Dún Laoghaire.
“On Budget day we reduced income tax bands and USC rates, and although we knew it was good news, it’s not until the changes come into effect and the first month’s pay comes into bank accounts, that the true effect can be seen.
“A worker on the average industrial wage of about €35,000 gets €396 back and a family of two earners with two children, bringing in €60,000 gets back €469. Households will see a small increase in their monthly income as a result of these changes and this will, in turn, have a positive impact on the local economy here in Dún Laoghaire.
“This is only a first step in making our tax system fairer and better for job creation. We want to deliver similar tax cuts in 2016 and again the following year if re-elected. Both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin voted against these tax reductions.
“It is important that we begin to see the benefit of the economic recovery in all parts of the country, including here in Dún Laoghaire. The Government is focussed on creating jobs in all areas and I expect with the launch of the Regional Enterprise Strategy in the coming weeks, that we will see positive change in Dún Laoghaire.”
Last Updated: January 22, 2015 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Mitchell O’Connor presents award to Dun Laoghaire Golf Club
“The economy is recovering. Those involved in the golf sector can look forward to rebuilding past years’ loss in club membership numbers, increasing operations’ revenue and overcoming difficulties presented in recent times. A report released by Fáilte Ireland in Jan 2014 revealed that 163,000 visitors played golf while here and accounted for €200 million in revenue.
“Dun Laoghaire will host the Curtis Cup in 2016 which will be an exciting time for the locality and will underline the importance of the golfing sector to Ireland’s continued attractiveness as a golfing destination.”
Last Updated: December 17, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Minimum pricing needed to combat alcohol deaths
Calls for swift implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill
“Hundreds of deaths could be avoided every year by introducing a minimum price for alcohol”, according to Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael TD for Dun Laoghaire. Deputy Mitchell O’Connor was speaking in the Dáil today (Tuesday).
“Three people are dying every day due to alcohol and 2,000 hospital beds are occupied every night by people with alcohol related illnesses.
“Due to low supermarket prices and aggressive price promotions, consumers can purchase large amounts of alcohol at ridiculously low prices.
“Hundreds of deaths could be avoided every year with a minimum price for alcohol units. According to the 2014 Health Research Board Survey there are 2.48 million people in Ireland who drink alcohol and 54 per cent of those drink harmfully and excessively.
“We are failing our young people by not responding to the normalisation of alcohol misuse through the cheap and widespread availability of alcohol.
“If we are to effectively tackle this culture of harmful binge drinking then we need to urgently tackle the key areas of alcohol pricing marketing and availability, beginning with the swift implementation of the Public Health (Alcohol) Bill.”
Posted: December 4, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Number on the Live Register in Dún Laoghaire down 11.21% since launch of Action Plan for Jobs
Latest CSO figures show more people are at work as the economy recovers
Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said that the 11.21% drop in the Live Register figure in Dún Laoghaire since the launch of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs shows that the economy is recovering and that the Government’s plan to create jobs is working.
“Nationally the latest CSO Live Register figures show that the unemployment rate has dropped to 10.7% from a high of 15.1% in 2012. Too many people are still out of work but we are moving in the right direction.
“In Dún Laoghaire the numbers on the Live Register have fallen from 6,040 to 5,363 since the launch of the Government’s Action Plan for Jobs in 2012 – a decrease of 11.21%. Nationally, almost 80,000 jobs have been created, the recovery is broadening across the country, including Dún Laoghaire.
“Thanks to the sacrifices people have made, it is now possible for the Government to cut taxes to help people in work. Every household with somebody in full-time work will be a bit better off from January. We’re committed to reducing personal taxation, to putting money back in people pockets and to growing the economy.
“This Government has made great strides, as is evident from the Live Register figures, but the current high rates of personal taxation need further reform. We need to continue to make work pay and ensure that people in all parts of the country feel the benefit of the growing economy in their pockets and in their lives. That is what we intend to do next year and into the future.
“These figures give us confidence that if we stick with the plan, we can ensure that people’s sacrifices are not wasted, and that we can deliver a consistent, sustainable jobs recovery in Dún Laoghaire and right across the country.”
Posted: December 2, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Gender Quotas
As a woman in the workplace I don’t want to be distinguished from my male counterparts; I feel I can do just as good a job and I am equally as capable. However, this is just not possible. I am not the same as the men I work with, I am not inferior but I am different. Women simply are not adequately represented in senior positions in the business world or as representatives in public life, and major changes are needed to tackle the deficit of female representation.
This Government recognises that change is needed and we have taken action to address this by introducing gender quotas for the next General Election. For the first time 30% of the candidates on the ticket will be female. I know many women feel gender quotas are unnecessary and distasteful; they don’t want to be token members on boards or to feel they were unduly elevated simply because the company they work for, or the party they are a member of, needs more women. However I do not accept that this is the case. I believe that there are women out there to fill the top positions, we just need to encourage them to come forward. Women in Ireland are the most educated in EU and we need to ask ourselves why they are not making it to senior positions.
The introduction of gender quotas for state boards has meant that in six years female representation has gone from 10% to 40%. Advancing this project further, each Government Department that has not yet reached 40% has been asked to prepare a plan to reaffirm their commitment to reacht he target during the lifetime of this Government. In order to support the delivery of the Government’s target on gender equality on State Boards, the Department of Justice and Equality will set up a pilot project for the development of a Talent Bank of women who would be prepared to serve on State Boards.
It is an internationally accepted fact that diverse companies, diverse boards and diverse Governments achieve the best results and this is the goal we are pursuing. During Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington’s recent case in the Equality Court it was found that in a corporate setting, men had a one in two chance of promotion, while the women who apply for the same promotion have less than a one in three chance. In companies where women are in the majority, senior positions are still predominantly held by men. This needs to change.
Only this week in Germany, one of the world’s most developed economies, it was confirmed that frauenquote, Women’s quotas, will mean that 30% of the country’s top boards must comprise of women. Writing in the Süddeutsche Zeitung, commentator Heribert Prantl said frauenquote are not the introduction of quotas, rather they are breaking through existing quotas … they are a tool to establish sensible standards. Just as children learn to swim with armbands, so the women’s quotas are the armbands of society.”
At present there are 27 women and 139 men in Dáil Éireann, this is a record for female representation. In the history of this state there have only ever been 14 female Ministers. There is something seriously wrong with these statistics. Gender quotas aim to encourage women who have the ability to come forward and assure them that they will have the opportunity to represent their constituency or to serve on a State Board.
We know that Irish women have the skills but we also know that there are reasons why they are not putting themselves forward. Many women feel they cannot commit to the responsibility that comes with these positions and balance their family lives at the same time. There is no doubt that there is merit in this argument. However, until more women are in these positions, nothing will change. Gender quotas will fast-track the process of involving women in Irish public life and in State Boards, like Heribert Prantl said they are our armbands until this becomes the norm and equal representation comes natuarally in all areas. This Government has done more than any before us to address the issue of gender equality and quotas are just the starting point to bring us to the finish line of truly representating the Irish population.
Last Updated: December 3, 2014 by Mary Mitchell O'Connor
Certainty for homeowners needed
Mitchell O’Connor urges Minister to review LPT rates in light of recovering property market
Fine Gael TD for Dún Laoghaire, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has said that a review of local property tax rates is needed to address the concerns of homeowners living in areas where house prices have increased.
“House prices in my own constituency of Dún Laoghaire have increased in recent months and home owners in the area may be faced with a rise in Local Property Tax when the scheduled review takes place at the end of 2016. I have contacted the Minister for Finance, Michael Noonan to express my concerns about the impact that such an increase would have.
“In the period since property value assessments were completed for Revenue in 2013, house prices in Dún Laoghaire have risen by more than 42 per cent. The tax was set at €675 for a property worth between €350,000 and €400,000 but such properties could be worth well over €500,000 by late 2016.
“The local property tax has been designed with three-year reviews to ensure predictability, and to prevent shocks for taxpayers so I am confident that any changes to LPT would be announced well ahead of the next review.
“There has been a huge improvement in the economy over recent months and this is to be very much welcomed. However, I am concerned about the financial impact a rise in property tax would have on people in Dún Laoghaire and other urban areas.
“Dún Laoghaire – Rathdown County Council have voted to reduce the Local Property Tax by 15%. This is a very welcome but once-off move.
“Minister Noonan has said that the central national rate for Local Property Tax will not vary for the lifetime of this Government. This is also to be welcomed but I am asking the Minister to look beyond 2016 and to provide some reassurance for homeowners.”
@MitchellOConnor
Contact me
Email:
mitchelloconnormary@gmail.com
Twitter: @mitchelloconnor
Facebook: www.facebook.com/mary.mitchelloconnor
Recent Posts
Archive