Women in Politics

From the Green Party: Low number of women in politics ‘a national scandal’—Maher. It is quite interesting, the state of women in Irish politics. There are not that many, only fourteen, though the fourteen that are in the Dail are quiet high profile. It would not be a total surprise if the next Taoiseach was a woman. So why are their so few? Now the Green Party, who for the record have no female TDs, want to bring in a female quota.

Political Parties must make commitments to achieve gender balance and give leadership to champion women’s participation

But is this what women would want? To get a position in a party due to their gender not do to their skills? Many of the women in Irish politics have risen quite high based purely on their skills—Harney, Burton, O’Donnell, Enright, Hanifan, Coughlan, etc.—would they like people to say they got their due to their gender?

Also the Greens call for:

The introduction of family friendly working hours in the Dáil.

But unless you are from Dublin or surrounding areas, working hours in the Dail is not going to be family friendly anyway and if they installed a crèche—if they don’t have one already—dragging children from Donegal is not that friendly either. It is a great soundbite though to a Dublin audience.

Also this part which has little to my mind to do with women in politics.

A cap on spending by political parties and an end to corporate donations to ensure that there is a level playing pitch, especially for community candidates and candidates from political parties who do not accept corporate funding.

Which reads to me like “we don’t take donations so it is unfair others do.” Anyway.

What should be done to get more women into politics?