Senator Averil Power has announced her resignation from Fianna Fáil. She cites ongoing disillusionment with the party on equality issues. Averil was a great supporter of 5050 and was very involved in promoting greater female representation within Fianna Fáil. It is a blow that she has decided to leave Fianna Fáil. Fianna Fáil has a weak record on promoting women within their own ranks. The last local elections saw Fianna Fáil select only 17.1% female candidates. This does not bode well for them fulfilling the gender quota of 30% for the next general election. Senator Power was dissatisfied with the party’s efforts in the Marriage Equality referendum. She maintains that the party is not committed to equality and do not show leadership on promoting true equality. Proof 0f the pudding is in the eating. Fianna Fáil needs to step up to the plate when it comes to fulfilling the quota. Gender balance in political representation cannot wait any longer.
The 5050 Group 'Advocating for equal representation in politics'
