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The Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD, will today (Monday 19 December) host the first meeting of the public consultation on the forthcoming National Women's Strategy, which is to take place in the Imperial Hotel in Cork at 2pm.

Commenting on the public consultation, Minister Stanton said:

"Over the course of this public consultation, which remains open until 27 January, we are inviting the public to tell the Government what you see as the priorities for women and girls in Ireland up to 2020.

We have made some advances to improve the lives of women and girls in Ireland, but it is clear that a lot more needs to be done.

I am delighted to see members of the public, women’s organisations and organisations in related fields in Cork, Munster and surrounding areas taking an active part in this consultation to inform Government policy. I am looking forward to hearing their views."

The Minister also highlighted further opportunities for interested persons to give their views. Public consultation events on the new Strategy will also take place at the Sligo Park Hotel on 12 January, at the Sheraton Hotel in Athlone on 16 January and in Dublin (venue to be confirmed) on 18 January.

Persons wishing to attend the public consultation meetings are invited to register by contacting Gender Equality Division of the Department of Justice and Equality, either by email to geconference@justice.ie, or by phone to 01-4790264 during office hours. Details of all the meetings are available on www.genderequality.ie.

Contributions may be also made by written submission, with details available at www.genderequality.ie.