FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

7TH Feb 2024

The Taoiseach has appointed seven women amongst his 11 nominees to the Seanad. Fianna Fáil have appointed five women from their six nominations; Fine Gael two from their five nominations. After the Seanad elections in 2020, the same Taoiseach appointed 9 women amongst the 11 nominees.

“It is progress that there is now a Seanad that has a better gender balance than ever before, with the Taoiseach’s nominees and the election of a record number of Senators on the Panels”.  said Aldagh McDonogh, Chair of Women for Election.

The overall Oireachtas percentage of women members stands at 30%, with both the Seanad and Dáil both having record numbers of women members.

“While this progress is welcome, it remains far too slow. Nine women were included in the Taoiseach’s nominees in 2020, just six this time.  A near-equal balance of men and women in in the Oireachtas should not be a distant aspiration but an urgent Government priority. Women for Election acknowledges the incremental improvement, but the pace of change is frustratingly inadequate”, said McDonogh.

The proportion of women in the Seanad chamber has now risen to 45%—an increase of 7% on the outgoing Seanad. Fianna Fáil have a welcome almost even gender balance in the Seanad through these nominations with 9 women Senators and 10 men. Fine Gael have just 5 women Senators and 13 men.

“We congratulate all the women nominated as Senators today and the record-breaking 20 women who were elected on the five Vocational and two University Panels last week. They bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the Oireachtas which will enrich debates where laws and policies are shaped, and we wish them well.”

“The opportunity to meaningfully increase diversity within the Seanad has not been fully realised. There are many talented women from a wide range of backgrounds who could contribute their expertise but still the Oireachtas lacks adequate representation of Traveller, ethnic minority and other underrepresented communities”, continued McDonogh

“It is vital that the Oireachtas reflects the society it serves,” McDonogh added. “Women from diverse backgrounds bring crucial perspectives to national debates, and their inclusion should be a priority.”

There remains one further immediate opportunity to help redress the gender balance in our democracy by ensuring that Parties co-opt women where Councillors have been elected or nominated to the Seanad. Fine Gael, with 11 Councillors now in the Seanad, Fianna Fáil with 3, Labour with 2 and Aontú with one Councillor elected or nominated to the Seanad can co-opt women to thise Council seats and contribute towards building a pipeline of experience for the next election cycle”, concluded McDonogh.

ENDS