The 5050 Group in the North West sent out a series of questions relating to women’s equal representation to the 2016 General Election Candidates in Donegal and Sligo-Leitrim.
Below are the questions with the candidate responses.
| Donegal 2016 General Election Candidate: Paula Flanagan, Green Party
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| QUESTIONS:
Do you support the 5050 Campaign for equal representation of women and men in Irish Politics?
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RESPONSES:
YES |
| Please Explain Why
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To fully represent women, we need to get to 5050 across all sectors.
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| Are you in favour of introducing gender quotas for the 2019 local elections?
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YES |
| Please Explain Why
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There is even less representation at a local level for women and Donegal in particular is struggling.
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| Would you support an’ A Rural Strategy’ to encourage more women to run for the local elections both as independents and party candidates?
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YES |
| Would you support more women to take up leadership positions within your party, such as chairs and national executive members?
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YES |
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What actions will you take within your party or as an Independent to encourage and support increased female participation in politics?
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I am standing very much on an equality platform and have highlighted the lack of representation by the larger parties in the Donegal constituency in press and radio interviews.
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Would you support actions to make the Dáil more ‘family friendly’ by addressing the working hours, formalising maternity leave and considering other arrangements such as proxy voting and teleconferencing?
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YES |
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Please Explain Why |
The Dail needs to reflect that many women are working mothers and business has already made some improvements this way, so why not the Dail? This will attract a lot more women and normalise the role of TD. |