guide to ge16 - women for election...in 2016 of the 68 declared candidates 16 (24%) are women. three...

Guide to GE16#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 one day programme to introduce interested women to political life. EQUIP is a three day political campaign school for candidates & campaign managers which runs before national, local and European elections.

Getting ready for GE16In preparation for GE16, we have conducted several training programmes around the country including two one day Inspire programmes, a one day Summer School, a three day bootcamp and a series of Masterclasses focused on upskilling candidates. We have also worked to highlight the deficit of women in politics both now and in the past, running campaigns such as #WhoAreThe95 and #WomenInCabinet recognizing the contributions made by elected women to Irish public life.

An unprecedented number of women are running in this general election. They also make up an unprecedented percentage of the overall candidates.

GE16 in numbers

15% women candidates

2011

Party breakdown

30% women candidates

2016

Party Total Number of Candidates

Number of Female Candidates

Overall %

Fine Gael 88 27 31%

Labour 36 13 36%Fianna Fáil 71 22 31%Sinn Féin 50 18 36%Renua Ireland 26 8 31%Social Democrats 14 6 43%AAAPBP 31 13 42%Green Party 40 14 35%

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There are 163 women running in GE16

Only 95 of the 1242 TDs elected to Dáil Éireann have been womenIn the 31st Dáil there were 27 female TDs, which is just 16%

Profile of candidates

GE 2016

Carlow-Kilkenny (5 seater) Currently elected female TD(s): 1 (Ann Phelan, Labour Party)

Number of women elected since 1918: 2Ann Phelan, Labour Party (Kilkenny) 2011Mary White, Green Party (Carlow) 2007 – 2011

In 2011 19 candidates ran and 4 were women (21%)In 2016 15 candidates are running and 4 are women (27%)

Female candidates in GE16:Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Féin)Ann Phelan (Labour Party)Jennifer Murnane O’Connor (Fianna Fáil)Adrienne Wallace (AAA-PBP)

Cavan-Monaghan (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1 (Heather Humphreys, Fine Gael)Number of women elected since 1918: 2

Heather Humphreys, Fine Gael (Monaghan) 2011Margaret Conlon, Fianna Fáil (Monaghan) 2007 – 2011


Female candidates in GE16: Heather Humphreys (Fine Gael) Aoife O’Connell (Direct Democracy Ireland/NCM)Kathryn Reilly (Sinn Féin)Mary Smyth (Independent)Niamh Smyth (Fianna Fáil)

Clare (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0

Number of women elected since 1918: 3Sile de Valera (Fianna Fáil) – 1987-2007Madeline Taylor Quinn (Fine Gael) – 1981-82, 1982-92Brigid Hogan O’Higgins (Fine Gael) (Clare –Galway South) – 1969-77


Female candidates in GE16:Clare Colleran-Molloy (Fianna Fáil)Mary Howard (Fine Gael)Noeleen Moran (Sinn Féin)Ann Norton (Independent)Niamh O’Brien (Fís Nua)

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There are 163 women running in GE16

Cork constituenciesAcross the Cork constituencies, 9 women have been elected since 1918. Sandra McLellan* (Sinn Féin) (East) – 2011Áine Collins* (Fine Gael) (North West) – 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) – 1979-1987Eileen 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)Currently elected female TD(s): 0


Female candidates in GE2016:Lorna Bogue (Green Party)Elizabeth Hourihan (Independent)Fiona Ryan (AAA-PBP)

Cork South-West (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0


Female candidates in GE2016: Theresa Heaney (Catholic Democrats)Rachel McCarthy (Sinn Féin)Margaret Murphy O’Mahony (Fianna Fáil)Fiona O’Leary (Independent)Gillian Powell (Independent)

Donegal (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0Number of women elected since 1918: 2

Cecilia 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 are running and 3 are women (19%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Paula Flanagan (Green Party)Niamh Kennedy (Independent/Independent Alliance)Cordelia Níc Fhearraigh (Fís Nua))

Dublin ConstituenciesAcross the Dublin constituencies, 40 women have been elected since 1918. 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 155 declared candidates in Dublin 55 (35%) are women.

Dublin Bay North (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0

In 2011 in Dublin North Central 9 candidates ran and 2 were women. In 2011 in Dublin North East 11 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (9%) In 2016 20 candidates are running and 5 are women (25%)

Cork East (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1 Sandra McLellan (Sinn Féin)


Female candidates in GE16:Barbara Ahern (Fianna Fáil) Natasha Harty (Green Party)Ciara Leonardi Roche (AAA-PBP)Mary Linehan Foley (Independent)

Cork North-Central (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1 Kathleen Lynch (Labour Party)

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

Female candidates in GE2016:Kathleen Lynch (Labour Party)Julie O’Leary (Fine Gael)

Cork North West (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1 Áine Collins (Fine Gael)


Female candidates in GE2016:Áine Collins (Fine Gael)Shirley Griffin (People’s Convention CPPC)

Female candidates in GE2016:Donna Cooney (Green Party)Deirdre Heney (Fianna Fáil)Denise Mitchell (Sinn Féin)Averil Power (Independent)Stephanie Regan (Fine Gael)

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*currently elected *currently elected

Dublin South West (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0


Female candidates in GE2016:Anne-Marie Dermody (Fine Gael)Sandra Fay ( AAA-PBP)Sarah Holland (Sinn Féin)Pamela Kearns (Labour Party)Joan Summerville Molloy (Independent)Deirdre O’Donovan (Independent/Independent Alliance)Karen Warren (Fine Gael)Katherine Zappone (Independent)

Dublin West (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 2Ruth Coppinger (Anti-Austerity Alliance)Joan Burton (Labour Party)


Female candidates in GE2016:Joan Burton (Labour Party)Ruth Coppinger (AAA-PBP)Catherine Noone (Fine Gael)Jo O’Brien (RENUA Ireland)

Dun Laoghaire (4 seats - includes the Ceann Comhairle)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Mary Mitchell O’Connor (Fine Gael)In 2011 14 candidates ran and 3 were women (21%)In 2016 11 candidates are running and 5 are women (45%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Maria Bailey (Fine Gael)Mary Hanafin (Fianna Fáil)Carol Hunt (Independent/Independent Alliance)Mary Mitchel O’Connor (Fine Gael)Carrie Smyth (Labour Party)

Galway East (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0Number of women elected since 1918: 1

Brigid Hogan O Higgins (Fine Gael) (South, East, Clare-Galway South) – 1957-77


Female candidates in GE2016:Lorraine Higgins (Labour Party)Máiréad Ní Chróinín (Green Party)AnneMarie Roche (Sinn Féin)Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fáil)

Galway West (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0

Number of women elected since 1918: 1Maire Geoghegan Quinn (Fianna Fáil) (West) – 1975-1997


Female candidates in GE2016:Catherine Connolly (Independent)Nicola Daveron (RENUA Ireland)Fidelma Healy-Eames (Independent)Mary Hoade (Fianna Fáil)Hildegarde Naughton (Fine Gael)

Kerry (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0Number of women elected since 1918: 4

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin (Labour Party) (South) – 1992-2007Kit Ahern (Fianna Fáil) (North) – 1977-1981Kathleen O Connor (Clann na Poblachta) (North) – 1956by-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 are running and 3 are women (19%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Mary Fitzgibbon (Independent)Norma Moriarty (Fianna Fáil)Grace O’Donnell (Fine Gael)

Dublin Bay South (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Lucinda Creighton (RENUA Ireland)

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

Female candidates in GE2016:Lucinda Creighton (RENUA Ireland)Glenna Lynch (Social Democrats)Annette Mooney (People Before Profit)Kate O’Connell (Fine Gael)

Dublin Central (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 2Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin)Maureen O’Sullivan (Independent)


Female candidates in GE2016:Mary Fitzpatrick (Fianna Fáil)Jacqui Gilbourne (RENUA Ireland)Kerry Guinan (Independent)Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin)Diana O’Dwyer (Anti-Austerity Alliance)Maureen O’Sullivan (Independent)Éilis Ryan (Workers Party)

Dublin Fingal (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Clare Daly (Independents 4 change)

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

Female candidates in GE2016:Lorraine Clifford-Lee (Fianna Fáil)Clare Daly (Independents 4 change) Roslyn Fuller (Independent)Louise O’Reilly (Sinn Féin)

Dublin Mid-West (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 2Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party)


Female candidates in GE2016:Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)Lorraine Hennessy (Workers Party)Clare Leonard (Independent)Anne Marie McNally (Social Democrats)Joanna Tuffy (Labour Party)

Dublin North West (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Roisin Shorthall (Social Democrats)


Female candidates in GE2016:Cathleen Carney Boud (Sinn Féin)Caroline Conroy (Green Party)Bernie Hughes (Independent)Róisín Shortall (Social Democrats)

Dublin Rathdown (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Olivia Mitchell (Fine Gael)

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

Female candidates in GE2016:Josepha Madigan (Fine Gael)Catherine Martin (Green Party)Sorcha Nic Cormaic (Sinn Féin)Mary White (Fianna Fáil)

Dublin South Central (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 2Catherine Byrne (Fine Gael)Joan Collins (Independent)


Female candidates in GE2016:Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fáil)Catherine Byrne (Fine Gael)Joan Collins (Independents 4 change)Máire Devine (Sinn Féin)Bríd Smith (AAA-PBP)

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Kildare North (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats)

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


Female candidates in GE2016:Réada Cronin (Sinn Féin)Ashling Merriman (AAA-PBP)Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats)Meabh Ní Fhalluin (Green Party)Elizabeth O’Sullivan (Independent)

Kildare South (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0

Number of women elected since 1918: 0

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

Female candidates in GE2016:Mary Kennedy (RENUA Ireland)Suzanne McEneaney (Green Party)Fiona McLoughlin-Healy (Fine Gael)Fiona O’Loughlin (Fianna Fáil)Patricia Ryan (Sinn Féin)

Laois (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 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 are running in Laois and 2 are women (33%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Thomasina Connell (Fine Gael)Sinead Moore (Green Party)

Limerick City (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Jan O’Sullivan (Labour Party)Number of women elected since 1918: 2

Jan O Sullivan (Labour Party) (East/City) – 1998b*Kathleen 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 are running and 3 are women (27%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Nora Bennis (Catholic Democrats)Sarah Jane Hennelly (Social Democrats)Jan O’Sullivan (Labour Party)

Limerick County (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0


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

Female candidates in GE2016: 0

Longford/Westmeath (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1

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)


Female candidates in GE2016:Stephanie Healy (Direct Democracy Ireland/NCM)Connie Gerety-Quinn (Fianna Fáil)Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael)Mae Sexton (Independent)Barbara Smyth (Independent)

Louth (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0



Female candidates in GE2016:Emma Coffey (Fianna Fáil)Mary Moran (Labour Party)Imelda Munster (Sinn Féin)Maeve Yore (Independent/Independent Alliance)

Mayo (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)

Number of women elected since 1918: 2Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael) – 2011 Beverly Flynn (Fianna Fáil) – 1997-2011


Female candidates in GE2016:Lisa Chambers (Fianna Fáil)Michelle Mulherin (Fine Gael)Margaret Sheehan (Green Party)Rose Conway Walsh (Sinn Féin)

Meath East (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 2Regina Doherty (Fine Gael)Helen McEntee (Fine Gael)

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


Female candidates in GE2016:Regina Doherty (Fine Gael)Sharon Keogan (Independent)Helen McEntee (Fine Gael)Aisling O’Neill (Social Democrats)Sarah Tyrell (RENUA Ireland)

Meath West (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0


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

Female candidates in GE2016:Tracy McElhinney (Labour Party)

Offaly (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Fine Gael)

Number of women elected since 1918: Marcella Corcoran Kennedy (Fine Gael) – 2011 Olwyn 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%)

Female candidates in GE2016: Kate Bopp (Independent)Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy (Fine Gael)Carol Nolan (Sinn Féin)Teresa Ryan-Feehan (Independent)

Roscommon Galway (3 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0Number 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 are running and 4 are women (33%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Anne Farrell (RENUA Ireland)Miriam Hennessy (Green Party) Maura Hopkins (Fine Gael)Claire Kerrane (Sinn Féin)

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What’s next for Women for Election?Women for Election have written to party leaders calling for a commitment to five specific measures to encourage more women into politics and help them secure leadership roles when selected.

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 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.

Sligo Leitrim (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 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%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Marie Casserly (Independent/Independent Alliance)Susan O’Keeffe (Labour Party)Bernie O’Hara (Independent)

Tipperary (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0

Number of women elected since 1918: Theresa 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 are running in Tipperary and 2 are women (15%)

Female candidates in GE2016:Siobhan Ambrose (Fianna Fáil)Marie Murphy (Fine Gael)

Waterford (4 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Ciara Conway (Labour Party)

Number of women elected since 1918: 3Ciara Conway (Labour Party) – 2011Bridget Redmond (Cumman na nGaedheal/Fine Gael) – 1933-1952Caitlin Brugha (Sinn Féin) – 1923-1927


Female candidates in GE2016:Mary Butler (Fianna Fáil)Ciara Conway (Labour Party)Una Dunphy (AAA-PBP)Mailo Power (RENUA Ireland)Grace O’Sullivan (Green Party)

Wexford (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 0

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

In 2011 13 candidates ran and 1 was a woman (8%)In 2016 17 candidates are running and 5 are women (29%)Female candidates in GE2016:

Aoife Byrne (Fianna Fáil)Caroline Foxe (Independent)Julie Hogan (Fine Gael)Ann Walsh (Green Party)Deirdre Wadding (AAA-PBP)

Wicklow (5 seats)Currently elected female TD(s): 1Anne Ferris (Labour Party)

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


Female candidates in GE2016:Sharon Briggs (AAA- PBP)Avril Cronin (Fine Gael)Jennifer Cuffe (Fianna Fáil)Anna Doyle (AAA-PBP)Anne Ferris (Labour Party)Katrina Hutchinson (Direct Democracy Ireland/NCM)

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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

In the 31 Dáil there were 27 female TDs which is 16 %. 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 other EU states. Average female representation in lower/single houses of parliament across the 28 member states of the EU is currently at 28 %. Without any intervention it would have taken 250 years to achieve 50:50 representation in Dáil Éireann.

Is the quota for selection working?The gender quota for selection has worked. It has resulted in over double the percentage of women running compared with the previous election in 2011. An unprecedented number of female candidates are contesting GE 16. 30% of all candidates are women. All parties who are subject to the gender quota for selection have met or exceeded the minimum of 30% of female candidates. The positive ripple effect has been evident with the fact that women make up over 20% 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.

Is there any evidence that quotas make a difference?Across Europe when gender quotas with a penalty attached were implemented that they have a positive effect. Over the past 20 years Belgium and Greece have trebled female representation at national level. France, Slovenia, Portugal have over doubled the percentage of women elected at national level.

Frequently Asked Questions

MORE WOMEN ARE RUNNING IN GE16 THAN EVER BEFORE

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guide to ge16 - women for election...in 2016 of the 68 declared candidates 16 (24%) are women. three...

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