Irish General Election Registers Record Number of Women Candidates, Group States

A campaign organization has reported that an unprecedented number of women candidates have registered to participate in the Republic of Ireland’s general election scheduled for this month. Data released by Women for Election indicates that 247 women are seeking election across the nation, representing a 53% rise compared to the previous election in 2020. The group examined nominations made public by returning officers across all 43 constituencies, characterizing the figures as “phenomenal.” Nominations concluded on Saturday. The election, set for 29 November, will see a total of 685 candidates competing. Political parties are subject to a candidate gender quota, which mandates that their ballots must include a minimum of 40% men and 40% women. Parties that do not meet this quota will incur a 50% reduction in state funding. Women for Election also noted that Ireland ranks 104th globally regarding the representation of women in national parliaments. The group reported that the previous Dáil (Irish parliament) comprised 37 women TDs (members of the Dáil) among its 160 members. The overall number of TDs to be elected has now risen to 174. In Irish governments, a total of 21 women have held cabinet positions, with no more than four women serving concurrently in cabinet at any given time. Countess Markievicz was appointed minister for labour in 1919, becoming Ireland’s first woman government minister. It took over half a century for the second woman, Galway TD Márie Geoghegan-Quinn, to be appointed to an Irish government position in 1979. To date, no woman has occupied any of the three most senior government roles: taoiseach (Irish prime minister), minister for finance, or minister for foreign affairs.