First meeting of family-friendly and inclusive parliament forum today

TODAY (Tuesday) will see the first meeting of the newly established Oireachtas family-friendly and inclusive parliament forum.

The forum has been established to examine and establish family-friendly policies in Leinster House.

Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers will be among a group of 16, from inside and outside the world of politics, to sit on the forum that will produce its final report on family-friendly and inclusive policies for the Oireachtas by October 31.

Senator Chambers commented: “We need more diverse representation in our national parliament so that our parliament is reflective of society as a whole.

“I am eager to get to work with the forum so that we can provide practical and achievable recommendations that will result in an improved general working environment for all who work in our parliamentary community and for our parliament to be an attractive and rewarding career option for both men and women of all ages. I’ll be joined by my Seanad colleague, chair of the women’s caucus, Senator Fiona O’Loughlin.

“This forum is a hugely important initiative for the Oireachtas, which will bring about positive and significant changes for all working in our parliamentary community.”

The Ceann Comhairle, Seán Ó Fearghaíl, has pledged his full support to seeing the forum’s recommendations implemented in the lifetime of the current Dáil and Seanad.