Historic - TWO new woman TDs from Carlow-Kilkenny among highest ever number of females in Dail

“Today, December 18^th, more women than ever before will walk through the gates of Leinster House. Forty-four women, including 21 first-time TDs, will take their seats in Dáil Éireann” said Aldagh McDonogh, Chair of Women for Election.

Among the highest ever number of women TDs are three from Carlow-Kilkenny, two of them having won seats for the very first time. In November's general election Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF) was re-elected and both Natasha Newsome Drennan (SF) and Catherine Callaghan (FG) were elected for the first time.

“These forty-four women bring bring diverse voices, perspectives, and expertise to the Dáil, especially their lived experience as women, which will enrich the debates and decision-making processes of politics and government. More women makes for better politics and serves as an inspiration to future generations of women politicians.”

“More women than ever before are coming forward to represent their communities and stand for election at local and national levels. It takes courage and perseverance to run campaigns and to get elected and it often takes several election campaigns.”

“Today is a day to celebrate, but also a reminder of the work still to be done. Progress is slow, with just a 2% increase in women TDs in this new Dáil. Ireland is bottom of the league in Western Europe for women in parliament with just 25% of our TDs who are women.  There are many challenges remaining to ensure that we have gender parity in politics and a politics that truly represents the people it serves.”

“We offer our congratulations and best wishes for a successful Dáil term to all the women elected and to those who will serve in Government. We look forward to working together to encourage and equip more women to stand for and be elected to the next Dáil”, concluded McDonogh.