Opinion

Do you support gender quotas for election? Readers’ poll and comments

Do you support the cut in State funding for political parties which fail to put forward at least 30 per cent women candidates in the general election? Vote Yes or No and write your comments below

State funding for parties will be cut by half unless at least 30 per cent of general election candidates put forward are women. Photograph: Getty Images

Thu Apr 9 2015 - 13:00

Minister for Foreign Affairs Charlie Flanagan told Mary Minihan in the Inside Politics podcast that he does not accept sitting male TDs will be "culled" to make way for women because of gender quota legislation.

State funding for parties will be cut by half unless at least 30 per cent of general election candidates put forward are women. Mr Flanagan said it was important that quotas were reached and this could be done by “looking carefully” at all constituencies.

Earlier this week, a constituency colleague of Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he is being treated as a “movable feast” to ensure Fine Gael complies with gender quota legislation. Mayo TD John O'Mahony, the former All-Ireland-winning football manager, has been asked by Fine Gael headquarters to transfer to Galway West ahead of the general election.

Do you support gender quotas for political parties in the general election? Vote Yes or No and write your comments below.

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