Three female Green candidates for Europe

The Green Party is to run three women candidates in the European elections in June.

The Green Party is to run three women candidates in the European elections in June.

Northern Ireland candidate Ms Marie Perry (22) is the youngest woman in Ireland to stand for election to the European Parliament.

Councillor Mary White, deputy leader of the party, is to run in the East constituency and outgoing Green MEP Ms Patricia McKenna is to contest the election in Dublin.

Announcing her candidacy in Dublin on International Women's Day, Ms Perry attacked the North's mainstream political parties, accusing them of creating a "ghetto of inequality" for women and children.

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"The parties are led by middle-aged, middle of the road 'Buzz Lightweight' figures who have lost sight of the goal of politics and engaged in a generation of brinkmanship for which the vast majority of the poorest and most vulnerable in our communities have paid a high price," she said.

Ms McKenna urged Fianna Fáil to check the gender balance on their euro ballot papers.  "They are running eight candidates, all men. I think that's a big mistake because women are much more successful at getting elected when they are put forward."

Councillor White said: "I will be campaigning strongly on issues that matter in both urban and rural areas, such as ensuring our food is safe from field to fork, highlighting water quality and also protecting public sector jobs, particularly in the nursing and teaching professions."