Tag Archives: 2012

“We Need Candidate Gender Quotas For Local Elections” – says Gemma Hussey

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Hussey calls for Candidate Gender Quota for Local Elections

Speaking at the Launch of the 50:50 Group in the North West on Monday 16th January at Clarion Hotel, Sligo,

Gemma Hussey* said

Since its foundation in the autumn of 2010, the 50:50 group has caught the imagination of women across Ireland.

Groups are springing  up all over the country,  showing the frustration women feel at the virtual exclusion of women from national politics.

I am delighted to be here to launch the arrival of the North West 5050 Group.

Government has promised legislation to ensure a minimum of 30%  of either gender as candidates for the next general election.  That is welcome in itself, as a recognition that Irish governments, like governments in enlightened countries across the world, have a central role in correcting  the imbalance.

But the next general election is many years away. The local elections will be held in 2014.

We know local government is the nursery for future TD’s & Senators.  So it is essential everything possible is done to bring women into local government next year.

The most important step is therefore to strengthen the legislation at this stage to bring forward the quota for the local elections.

With energy and determination, this can be done.  Importantly, it would have the support of Opposition parties since Fianna Fail have already announce their intention to introduce their own kind of gender quotas for the local elections. 

I call on 50:50 all over Ireland to launch an energetic campaign to achieve this important aim.

Lobby the Minister, lobby the Parties, lobby local TD’s & Senators.  Above all,  continue the eloquent & effective use of all kinds of media to bring the message to women all over Ireland:

It is time now to introduce this real political reform for the future of Ireland’s politics. It does not need the Troika’s permission, it does not cost money, but it is centrally important for re-building this broken country. 

Congratulations to the women of the North-West for their initiative in getting this group going.  I look forward with optimism to a great new future for Ireland.

* Gemma Hussey is former Senator, T.D. & Minister for Education. She was a founder member of the Women’s Political Association. [This link has been added to the Press Release by 50:50 Blog Editor-on-Line]

We need more women to participate in politics – politics with a big P

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Last Sunday, on the History Show on Radio One , I learnt something about the apparent absence of women from the foundation of the State.
It seems that Cumann na mBan were very anti Treaty, as it was not what they had wanted from the Rising. They then withdrew and perhaps that is part of the reason why so few women are part of the political process to this day?

We need to be in there making the arguments for change to the political system. As Nicola Byrne points out, our political system is there to suit men, but it is very hard to change it from the outside.

Minister Kathleen Lynch is hosting a major conference on Women in Politics on the Friday 20th January 2012 in Dublin Castle. I would encourage anyone who can spare the time to go.

Also best of luck to the 5050 group in the North West on their meeting tomorrow night.