On February 2, 2012 the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Bill 2011, was introduced in Seanad Eireann by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government, Phil Hogan TD.
The 5050 group have been actively publicising this very welcome development, which contains provision for candidate gender balancing at general elections.
The 30% provision outlined in the Bill is very attainable. Fiona Buckley of the Cork5050 Group states that at the 2011 election just one more female party candidate in 38 of the 43 constituencies would have delivered the 30% quota.
Thus far, February and March 2012 have been really busy and exciting months for theCork5050 Group.
A very successful and well-attended Public Meeting was held in the Imperial Hotel on Monday 27 February 2012.
Our particular thanks to Deputies Jerry Buttimer (FG), Billy Kelleher (FF) and Ciaran Lynch (Lab) for their support.
International Women’s Day 8 March 2012 was also a great success.
Deirdre O’Halloran, Chair of theCork5050 Group, and Margaret O’Keeffe attended the Nasc Coffee Morning, where Deirdre made a brief presentation.
Fiona Buckley made a Presentation in Belfast on the issue.
Later that day, Liz Madden, Deirdre O’Halloran and Margaret O’Keeffe attended the Cork Feminista (CF) – Sharing Stories Event – complete with Belly Dancing. As always, the CF Event was superb – both challenging and inspiring.
On Sunday 11 March 2012 theCork5050 Group hosted a very successful Table Quiz in the Newport Café Bar at the Paul Street Plaza.
Our warmest appreciation for everyone who turned out to support the 5050 Group Table Quiz, a special word of thanks as well to the Staff of the Newport who were really helpful to us.
Warmest congratulations to the winning Team. They were absolutely brilliant.
Special mention for our 5050 member Liz Madden who organised the Event, well done Liz.
Special thanks also to Cllr. Lorraine Kingston who has been a tremendous supporter of the Cork5050 Group.
The monies raised last night will be used for further awareness raising events.
We plan to host another Table Quiz in the near future. We’ll keep you posted. As always, your support would be most welcome.
