LW urge dialogue between Europe and its citizens

Issued : Thursday 10 September, 2009



LW host an event 'Women and the European Union' with the guest speaker Commissioner Margot Wallstrom.





'Labour Women has invited Commissioner Margot Wallstrom to Ireland in order to bring Europe closer to the women of Ireland. We know that Irish women have benefited hugely from Europe up to now. What we now need to know is what is next for us women of Europe. This can only be decided by consultation' , comments Sinead Ni Chulachain LW Chair.



'By giving women an opportunity to meet with Commissioner Wallstrom we hope that the dialogue between Europe and ourselves can be strengthened.



'We hope that women in Ireland will become more interested in Europe, and will play a bigger role in the affairs of Europe. Labour Women encourage women and women's organisations to work with Europe in a way that would benefit all of us. Other European countries offer us good models we could adopt, be it in the area of health care, life-long learning, childcare or environment. Dialogue and co-operation with our European partners benefits Ireland and the women of Ireland.



'In Ireland the level of women's political representation remains poor. Commissioner Wallstrom has stated that she supports measures to increase women's representation. Earlier this year the Labour Party's Ciaran Lynch TD introduced our Electoral (Gender Parity) Bill designed to increase women's political representation.



'It is a boost to know that a respected woman politician like Commissioner Wallstrom supports this Labour Party proposal. It is imperative that women and men in positions of authority express their support for women's political participation, as Commissioner Wallstrom has done."