ge16 report card - women for election...female td(s) elected in 2016: 0 female td(s) elected in...

GE16 report card#electwomen

Who We AreWomen for Election is a non-partisan organisation with a vision of an Ireland with balanced participation of women and men in political life. Our aim is simple: to inspire, inform and equip women to run for political office

Recipients of the IMAGE Social Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2015, Women for Election offer tailored training and support programmes to women seeking to enter public life, and facilitate a cross-party network of political women, committed to equal representation in Irish politics. We also engage in advocacy and campaigning focused on increasing the number of women in Irish politics.

Founded in 2012 by Michelle O’Donnell Keating and Niamh Gallagher, Women for Election is driven by the belief that enriching the diversity of voices in our politics will lead to more robust decisions, and help create a fairer, more inclusive and dynamic society, better equipped to tackle future challenges.

What We DoWomen for Election provide a unique combination of tailored training and hands on support for women entering political life and provide women with the skills they need to overcome the barriers they face. We demystify the political process to show women how they can get on the ticket and run successful campaigns. Our training focuses on skill development, with particular attention to communications and media training, campaigns, and fundraising. So far almost 800 women from 17 European states have taken part in our programmes and 50% of those elected at local government level in Ireland have benefited from our training.

Our INFORM, INSPIRE and EQUIP programmes provide support to women at all stages of their political journey. INFORM is aimed at university students and community groups, to encourage women to get involved in the campaigns and decisions impacting their lives. INSPIRE is a 1 day programme to introduce interested women to political life. EQUIP is a 3 day political campaign school for candidates & campaign managers which runs before national, local and European elections.

Supporting women in GE16In preparation for GE16, we conducted several training programmes around the country including two one day INSPIRE programmes, a 1 day Summer School, a 3 day bootcamp and a series of Masterclasses focused on upskilling candidates. Almost 40% of the newly elected female TDs have come through our core training programmes and we were delighted to see how well our alumni who didn’t make it this time polled in GE16.

There was a huge interest in how women were doing in this campaign. Women for Election acted as a cheer squad for women online and our Twitter account had almost half a million impressions over the last month as people engaged with our #electwomen campaign. Voters cast 26% of their first preference votes for women that’s over 530,000 votes!

GE16 was an important first step in attempting to create gender balance in Dáil Éireann. It is vital that women who were elected get the support and training they require to flourish because they will act as an encouragement to other women around the country to step forward or stay in political life. Women for Election are excited about playing our part.

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35 women have been elected as Members of the 32nd Dáil

GE16 in numbers - the results

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The 32nd Dail is 22%

female

The 31st Dail was

16% female

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GE Candidates:

15% women candidates

2011

30% women candidates

2016

16% women tds elected

2011

22% women tds elected

2016

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Party Breakdown

percentage of women electedFINE GAEL

22%

labour

29%

fianna Fáil

14%

sinn féin

22%

social democrats

66%

aaa/pbp

33%

green party

50%

independents4change

50%

Party Total Candidates

Female Candidates

% of women

Total TDs

Total women

Fine Gael 88 27 31% 50 11

Labour 36 13 36% 7 2

Fianna Fáil 71 22 31% 44 6

Sinn Féin 50 18 36%23 5

RENUA Ireland 26 8 31% 0 0

Social Democrats 14 6 43% 3 2

AAAPBP 31 13 42% 6 2

Green Party 40 14 35% 2 1

Independents4Change 6 3 50% 4 2

Independent Alliance 21 5 24% 6 0

Independent/Other 168 33 20% 16 2

Independent Alliance Independent/Others

13%0%

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The success of the gender quota for selection

GE 2016

Carlow-Kilkenny (5 seats) Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1 Kathleen Funchion, (Sinn Féin)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Ann Phelan, (Labour Party)

Number of women elected since 1918: 3Kathleen Funchion, (Sinn Féin) (Kilkenny) 2016 Ann Phelan, (Labour Party) (Kilkenny) 2011 - 2016Mary White, (The Green Party) (Carlow) 2007 – 2011

In 2011 19 candidates ran and 4 were women (21%)In 2016 14 candidates are running and 4 were women (29%)

Cavan-Monaghan (4 seats)

Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2 Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael)Niamh Smyth (Fianna Fáil)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael)

Number of women elected since 1918: 3Niamh Smyth, (Fianna Fáil) (Cavan) 2016 Heather Humphreys, (Fine Gael) (Monaghan) 2011Margaret Conlon, (Fianna Fáil) (Monaghan) 2007 – 2011

In 2011 14 candidates ran and 5 were women (36%)In 2016 15 candidates ran and 5 were women (33%)

Clare (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 0

Number of women elected since 1918: 3

Síle de Valera, (Fianna Fáil) – 1987-2007Madeline Taylor Quinn, (Fine Gael) – 1981-82, 1982-92Brigid Hogan O’Higgins, (Fine Gael) (Clare –Galway South) – 1969-77


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Cork constituenciesAcross the Cork constituencies 9 women have been elected from 1918 to 2011.Áine Collins (Fine Gael) (North West) – 2011Sandra McLellan (Sinn Féin) (East) – 2011Deirdre Clune (Fine Gael) (South-Central) – 1997-2002, 2007-2011Kathleen Lynch (Democratic Left) (North-Central) – 1994b-1997, (Labour Party) 2002–2011Mairin Quill (Progressive Democrats) (North Central) – 1987-1997Myra Barry (Fine Gael) (North-East) – 1979-1987Eilleen Desmond (Labour Party) (Mid/South Central) – 1965-1969, 1973-1987Shelia Galvin (Fianna Fáil) (Borough) – 1964by-election-1965Mary MacSwiney (Sinn Féin) (Borough) – 1921-1927

In 2011 a total of 67 candidates ran in the combined Cork constituencies and 7 (10.5%) were women. In 2016 of the 68 declared candidates 16 (24%) are women. Three women were elected to represent Cork in 2011.

Cork South Central (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0



Cork South-West (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Margaret Murphy O’Mahony (Fianna Fáil)



Donegal (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0


Number of women elected since 1918: 2Cecilia Keaveney (Fianna Fáil) (North-East) – 1996 (by-election)-2007Mary Coughlan (Fianna Fáil) (South West) – 1987-2011

In 2011 (in combined Donegal constituencies) 20 candidates ran and 3 were women (15%)In 2016 16 candidates ran and 3 were women (18%)

Cork East (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Sandra McLellan (Sinn Féin)

Number of women elected since 1918: 1Sandra McLellan (Sinn Féin) – 2011-2016


Cork North-Central (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Kathleen Lynch (Labour Party)

Number of women elected since 1918: 1Kathleen Lynch, (Democratic Left) – 1994b-1997, (Labour Party) – 2002-2011

In 2011 15 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (7%)In 2016 14 candidates ran and 2 were women (14%)

Cork North West (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Áine Collins (Fine Gael)

Number of women elected since 1918: 1Áine Collins, (Fine Gael) – 2011-2016


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Dublin ConstituenciesAcross the Dublin constituencies 40 women have been elected from 1918-2011.Ruth Coppinger (Socialist Party) (West) – 2014 by-electionMary Mitchell O Connor* (Fine Gael) (Dun Laoghaire) – 2011Joan Collins (People Before Profit) (South Central) – 2011Clare Daly *(Socialist Party) (North) – 2011Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin) (Central) -2011Maureen O Sullivan (Independent) (Central) -2009-2011Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party) (Mid-West) – 2007-2011Lucinda Creighton (RENUA Ireland) (South-East) – 2007-2011Catherine Byrne (Fine Gael) (South-Central) – 2007-2011 Fiona O Malley (Progressive Democrats) (Dun Laoghaire) – 2002-2007Mary Upton (Labour Party) (South Central) – 1999(by-election)-2011Olivia Mitchell (Fine Gael) (South) – 1997-2011Marian McGennis (Fianna Fáil) (Central) – 1997-2002Mary Hanafin (Fianna Fáil) (Dun Laoghaire) – 1997-2011Róisín Shortall (Labour Party) (North-West) – 1992-2011Liz O Donnell (Progressive Democrats) (South) – 1992-2007Helen Keogh (Progressive Democrats) (Dun Laoghaire) 1992-1997Francis Fitzgerald* (Fine Gael) (South-East/Mid West) – 1992-2002, 2011Eithne Fitzgerald (Labour Party)(South) – 1992-1997Joan Burton (Labour Party) (West) - 1992-1997, 2002-2011Niamh Bhreathnach (Labour Party) (Dun Laoghaire) – 1992-1997Mary Mooney (Fianna Fáil) (South Central) – 1987-1989Geraldine Kennedy (Progressive Democrats) (Dun Laoghaire) – 1987-1989Anne Colley (Progressive Democrats) (South) – 1987-1989Monica Barnes (Fine Gael) (Dun Laoghaire) – 1982-1992, 1997-2002Nora Owen (Fine Gael) (North) – 1981-87, 1989-2002Mary Harney (Progressive Democrats) (South West/MidWest) – 1981-2002, 2002-11Alice Glenn (Fine Gael) (Central) – 1981-82, 1982-1987Mary Flaherty (Fine Gael) (North West) – 1981-1997Nuala Fennell (Fine Gael) (South) – 1981-1987, 1989-1992Eileen Lemass (Fianna Fáil) (Ballyfermot) – 1977-1982, 1982-1987Síle de Valera (Fianna Fáil) (County Mid) – 1977-1981Maureen O Carroll (Labour Party) (North Central) – 1954-1957 Celia Lynch (Fianna Fáil) (South Central/North Central) – 1954-1977Margaret Mary Pearse (Fianna Fáil) (County) – 1933-1937Kathleen Lynn (Republican) (County) – 1923-1927Margaret Collins-O Driscoll (Cumann na nGaedheal) (North) – 1923-1933Margaret Pearse (Sinn Féin) (County) – 1921-1922Kathleen Clarke (Sinn Féin/Fianna Fáil) (Mid) – 1921-22, 1927Constance Markievicz (Sinn Féin/Fianna Fáil) (St Patricks. South) – 1918-1922,1923-1927

In 2011 a total of 155 candidates ran in the combined Dublin constituencies and 25 (16%) were women. Twelve women were elected to represent Dublin in 2011. In 2016 of the 132 declared candidates 50 (38%) were women.

Dublin Bay North (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Denise Mitchell (Sinn Féin)


In 2011 in Dublin North Central 9 candidates ran and 3 were women (22%)In 2011 in Dublin North East 11 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (9%)In 2016 20 candidates ran in Dublin Bay North and 5 were women (25%).

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Dublin Bay South (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1 Kate O’Connell (Fine Gael)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Lucinda Creighton (RENUA Ireland)

In 2011 16 candidates ran in Dublin South East and 2 were women (12.5%)In 2016 14 candidates ran in Dublin Bay South and 4 were women (29%)

Dublin Central (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2 Mary-Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin)Maureen O’Sullivan (Independent)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 2 Mary-Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin)Maureen O’Sullivan (Independent)


Dublin Fingal (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2 Clare Daly (Independents4Change)Louise O’Reilly (Sinn Féin)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Clare Daly (Independent socialist)

In 2011 in Dublin North 9 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (11%)In 2016 15 candidates ran and 4 were women (27%)

Dublin Mid-West (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1 Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 2 Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party)


Dublin North West (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1 Róisín Shortall (Social Democrats)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Róisín Shortall (Labour)


Dublin Rathdown (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2Josepha Madigan (Fine Gael)Catherine Martin (Green Party)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Olivia Mitchell (Fine Gael)

In 2011 16 candidates ran in Dublin South and 5 were women (31%)In 2016 10 candidates ran in Dublin Rathdown and 4 were women (40%)

Dublin South Central (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 3Catherine Byrne (Fine Gael) Joan Collins (Independents4change) Bríd Smith (AAA-PBP)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 2Catherine Byrne (Fine Gael)Joan Collins (Independent)

In 2011 18 candidates ran and 2 were women (11%)In 2016 13 candidates are running and 5 are women (38%)

Dublin South West (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Katherine Zappone (Independent)



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Dublin West (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2Joan Burton (Labour Party)Ruth Coppinger (AAA-PBP)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 2Joan Burton (Labour Party)Ruth Coppinger (Anti-Austerity Alliance)

In 2011 10 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (10%)In 2016 11 candidates are running and 4 are women (36%)

Dun Laoghaire (4 seats - includes the Ceann Comhairle)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Fine Gael)Maria Bailey (Fine Gael)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Fine Gael)


Galway East (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fáil)


Number of women elected since 1918: 3Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fáil) 2016Brigid Hogan O Higgins (Fine Gael) (South, East, Clare-Galway South) – 1957-77


Galway West (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2Catherine Connolly (Independent)Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael)


Number of women elected since 1918: 3Catherine Connolly (Independent) 2016 Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael) 2016 Maire Geoghegan Quinn (Fianna Fáil) (West) – 1975-1997


Kerry (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0


Number of women elected since 1918: 4Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Labour Party) (South) – 1992-2007Kit Ahern (Fianna Fáil) (North) – 1977-1981Kathleen O Connor (Clann na Poblachta) (North) – 1956 by-election -1957Honor Crowley (Fianna Fáil) (South) – 1945-1966

In 2011 21 candidates ran in combined Kerry constituencies and 4 were women (19%)In 2016 16 candidates ran and 3 were women (19%)

Kildare North (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats)

Number of women elected since 1918: 2Áine Brady (Fianna Fáil) 2007 - 2011Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats) 2005 by-election-2007, 2011, 2016


Kildare South (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Fiona O’Loughlin (Fianna Fáil)


Number of women elected since 1918: 1Fiona O’Loughlin (Fianna Fáil) 2016

In 2011 8 candidates ran and there were no women (0%)In 2016 9 candidates ran and 5 were women (56%)

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Laois (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0


Number of women elected since 1918: 0**Two women elected in Laois/Offaly constituency since 1918 were both based in Offaly

In 2011 21 candidates ran in Laois/Offaly and 1 was a woman (5%)In 2016 6 candidates ran in Laois and 2 were women (33%)

Limerick City (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Jan O’Sullivan (Labour)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1Jan O’Sullivan (Labour)

Number of women elected since 1918: 2Jan O Sullivan (Labour Party) (East/City) – 1998bKathleen O’Callaghan (Sinn Féin) (City/East) – 1921-23

In 2011 13 candidates ran in Limerick East and 2 were women (15%)In 2016 11 candidates ran and 3 were women (27%)

Limerick County (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0



In 2011 10 candidates ran in and 0 were women (0%)In 2016 10 candidates ran and 0 were women (0%)

Longford/Westmeath (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael)

Number of women elected since 1918: 4Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael) (Longford-Westmeath) – 2014 by-election (Westmeath)Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael) (Longford-Westmeath) -2011-2014 (Westmeath)Mae Sexton (Progressive Democrats) (Longford-Roscommon) -2002 – 2007 (Longford)Mary O’Rourke (Fianna Fáil) (Longford-Westmeath) – 1982-2002, 2007-2011 (Westmeath)


Louth (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Imelda Munster (Sinn Féin)



Mayo (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fáil)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)

Number of women elected since 1918: 3Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fáil) – 2016Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) – 2011-2016 Beverly Flynn (Fianna Fáil) – 1997-2011


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Meath East (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2Regina Doherty (Fine Gael)Helen McEntee (Fine Gael)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Regina Doherty (Fine Gael)Helen McEntee (Fine Gael) elected 2013 by-election)

Number of women elected since 1918: 3Helen McEntee (Fine Gael) – 2013 by-election, 2016 Regina Doherty (Fine Gael) – 2011, 2016Mary Wallace (Fianna Fáil) – 1989-2011


Meath West (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0



In 2011 13 candidates ran and 3 were women (15%)In 2016 9 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (11%)

Offaly (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 2Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Fine Gael)Carol Nolan (Sinn Féin)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1 Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Fine Gael)

Number of women elected since 1918: 3Carol Nolan (Sinn Féin) – 2016 Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Fine Gael) – 2011, 2016Olwyn Enright (Fine Gael) – 2002-2011

In 2011 21 candidates ran in Laois/Offaly and 1 was a woman (5%)In 2016 11 candidates are running in Offaly and 4 are women (36%)

Roscommon Galway (3 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0


Number of women elected since 1918: 1* *Mae Sexton (Progressive Democrats) (Longford-Roscommon) 2002-2007 (Longford)Joan Burke (Fine Gael) (Roscommon-Leitrim) – 1964b-1981 (Roscommon)

In 2011 9 candidates in Roscommon Leitrim ran and 0 were women (0%)In 2016 candidates 12 ran and 4 were women (33%)

Sligo Leitrim (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0


Number of women elected since 1918: 2Marian Harkin (Independent) (Sligo-Leitrim) – 2002-2007 (Sligo)Mary Reynolds (Cumann na nGaedheal) (Sligo-Leitrim) – 1932-1933, 1937-1961 (Leitrim)

In 2011 in Sligo Leitrim North 13 candidates ran and 2 were women (15%)In 2011 in Roscommon Leitrim South 10 candidates ran and 0 were women (0%)In 2016 18 candidates are running and 3 are women (17%)

Tipperary (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0


Number of women elected since 1918: 4Theresa Ahearn (Fine Gael) (South) – 1989-2000Carrie Acheson (Fianna Fáil) (South) – 1981-1982 Maire Hoctor (Fianna Fáil) (North) – 2002-2011Mary Ryan (Fianna Fáil) (North) – 1944-1961

In 2011 in Tipperary North 8 candidates ran and 3 were women (36%%)In 2011 in Tipperary South 8 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (13%)In 2016 13 candidates ran in Tipperary and 2 were women (15%)

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Waterford (4 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 1Mary Butler (Fianna Fáil)

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1Ciara Conway (Labour Party)

Number of women elected since 1918: 4Mary Butler (Fianna Fáil) – 2016 Ciara Conway (Labour Party ) – 2011-2016Bridget Redmond (Cumman na nGaedheal/Fine Gael) – 1933-1952Caitlin Brugha (Sinn Féin) – 1923-1927


Wexford (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0


Number of women elected since 1918: 1Avril Doyle (Fine Gael) -1982-1989, 1992-1997


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Wicklow (5 seats)Female TD(s) elected in 2016: 0

Female TD(s) elected in 2011: 1Anne Ferris (Labour Party)

Number of women elected since 1918: 4Anne Ferris (Labour Party) – 2011Mildred Fox (Independent) – 1995by-election-2007Liz McManus (Democratic Left/Labour) – 1992-2011Gemma Hussey (Fine Gael) – 1982-1989


What’s next for Women for Election?We have a unique opportunity to build on the success of the gender quota. Women for Election have written to party leaders calling for a commitment to five specific measures to encourage more women into politics, and to help them secure leadership roles.

A 50:50 cabinet would send a powerful message, reflective of the gender balance of the population of the country. It would ensure that women’s voices are at the centre of policy and political decisions over the course of the next Dáil.

Ensuring 50:50 Committee Chairs and Vice-Chairs would place female TDs in the limelight and give them a leadership and spokesperson role and serve as an encouragement to women within their parties, groupings and further afield.

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny set a clear example when he appointed over 50% of female Senators as his nominees in 2011. This precedent should be followed with a commitment to 50:50 minimum for Taoiseach appointees to the Seanad as a means of increasing female representation in the Seanad.

For sitting Councillors who are elected to the Dáil or Seanad Éireann, parties should commit to 50:50 for newly co-opted Councillors to fill vacant seats. This will not only increase female representation at a local government level but also help to increase the pool of potential female candidates for the following Dáil election.

Parties should extend the adoption of the 30% quota for local election candidates as this is essential to create the pipeline for the next Dáil and will assist parties in reaching the 40% quota in seven years’ time as required by the gender quota for selection legislation.

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Why don’t more women run for election?The best national and international research indicates that the 5Cs are the biggest barriers to women engaging in politics and running for office. They are:

• Confidence: women are less likely to go forward for selection • Cash: women often have less access to financial resources than men • Candidate selection: political party selection processes can be difficult to navigate

for outsiders • Culture: political culture tends to be dominated by men including within political parties• Childcare: women are more likely to have this primary responsibility

The gender quotas for selection deal directly with the issues of candidate selection and culture and indirectly with the issue of confidence as women are encouraged and supported by their party organisations to get on the ticket.

Why were quotas necessary?In 2011 15% of the candidates contesting the general election were women. This percentage reflected a gradual but steady decline over the previous three general elections.

In the 1997 general election the percentage of female candidates was 20%; in 2002 the percentage of women running dropped to 18% and in the 2007 general election women made up 17% of the candidates.

Ireland lags significantly behind the EU where the average female representation in lower/single houses across the EU-28 is currently at 28%. Without any intervention it would have taken 250 years to achieve 50:50 representation in Dáil Éireann.

Did the gender quota for selection work in GE16?The gender quota for selection was a success before the first vote was cast. It did exactly what it was designed to do and resulted in over double the percentage of women running compared with the previous election in 2011. An unprecedented 30% of female candidates contested GE16. All parties who are subject to the gender quota for selection met or exceeded the minimum of 30% of female candidates. The positive ripple effect was evident as women made up 25% of candidates from the smaller groupings, parties or Independents. The gender quota for selection legislation was not designed to guarantee an increase in female TDs, only to increase the potential for better gender balance in Irish politics by giving the electorate an unprecedented choice.

The success of women in this election is a fantastic indication of the potential for positive change that can still happen. Women for Election trained and mentored many women who ran in this election and we were delighted to see that 40% of the newly elected women came through our core training programmes. It is evident to us that the gender quota for selection had a really positive impact and that training, mentoring and support for female candidates is every bit as crucial.

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ge16 report card - women for election...female td(s) elected in 2016: 0 female td(s) elected in...

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