The question I wish to ask may not be directly related to this specific point but it does relate to the whole question of the decade for women. In view of the huge area involved and the work which needs to be done, will the Government support a proposal that a second decade for women should be declared by the United Nations?

That proposal was made in 1980 but a decision has not yet been made.

Would the Minister indicate whether she feels that a second decade would be advisable in view of the fact that most of the work of the first decade has yet to be done? Very little progress has been made and, outside Ireland, there are still wide areas of basic discrimination against women. Does the Minister agree that it will take at least another decade to make progress in that area?

The consciousness that the conference created was worth while and productive. There are interest groups who believe we should be looking forward to and planning for the year 2000. There is validity in the suggestion made by the Deputy.