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14/05/2007
Female politicians 'under-represented' in Assembly
The lack of women in local politics has been discussed today at Northern Ireland’s new Assembly.
Members narrowly rejected moves set up a working group addressing the under-representation. MLAs voted by 44 votes to 43 to recognise existing commitments in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to encourage gender equality for recruitment.
Only 18 out of the 108 Assembly members are women and Sinn Fein MLA Jennifer McCann has described it as “a disgrace”.
“Women make up over 50% of our society yet are seriously under represented at all levels,” she said.
Other issues that were discussed are a call for an upgraded rail link between major towns in Northern Ireland and into the south.
Services, like the Belfast to Bangor lines have proved successful since the introduction of modern high-speed trains and SDLP’s John Dallat wants to see better trains across the network.
The SDLP have also announced concerns about the plight of undocumented Irish immigrants in the USA and support the campaign to make their presence legitimate.
Other topics included a call from the Ulster Unionists to rejoin the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
In a separate announcement, the Electoral Office has announced that DUP’s Alistair Ian Ross has filled the post of George Dawson, following his death last week.
(JM/SP)
Members narrowly rejected moves set up a working group addressing the under-representation. MLAs voted by 44 votes to 43 to recognise existing commitments in the Office of First and Deputy First Minister (OFMDFM) to encourage gender equality for recruitment.
Only 18 out of the 108 Assembly members are women and Sinn Fein MLA Jennifer McCann has described it as “a disgrace”.
“Women make up over 50% of our society yet are seriously under represented at all levels,” she said.
Other issues that were discussed are a call for an upgraded rail link between major towns in Northern Ireland and into the south.
Services, like the Belfast to Bangor lines have proved successful since the introduction of modern high-speed trains and SDLP’s John Dallat wants to see better trains across the network.
The SDLP have also announced concerns about the plight of undocumented Irish immigrants in the USA and support the campaign to make their presence legitimate.
Other topics included a call from the Ulster Unionists to rejoin the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association.
In a separate announcement, the Electoral Office has announced that DUP’s Alistair Ian Ross has filled the post of George Dawson, following his death last week.
(JM/SP)
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Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:It will be a cold evening and night with a frost. It will be largely dry, but a few wintry showers towards the north coast overnight. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
