Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire TD, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has today (Tuesday) given her support to the National Women’s Council of Ireland’s (NWCI) campaign for a female friendly parliament. The campaign includes a number of proposals which could encourage more women to view politics as a viable career option. 

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Deputy Mitchell O’Connor said: ‘It is an often quoted figure that just 15% of TDs in the Dáil are women. The NWCI’s campaign not only puts forward a number of useful proposals on how to boost this figure, but it will also help to spark a debate on how we can increase female representation in our national parliament’. 

“As a former school principal, I have at times been shocked and appalled by conduct in Dáil Éireann, which you wouldn’t expect to come across in the playground. Many of the proposals put forward by the NWCI could be considered family focused, rather than just women focused. For example, family friendly working hours make sense for all parliamentarians who also happen to be parents, regardless of whether they are men or women. 

“I particularly support the group’s proposal to promote solidarity among female politicians. While shattering the glass ceiling, we also need to reach down and help other women. The establishment of a cross-party women’s caucus could help female politicians to speak with one voice on certain issues. 

“Politics needs to change. It has been shown in business that increasing the level of women on boards improves success. Politics should be viewed no differently. Furthermore, all women should be given a voice at national level, especially older women who have raised their children and have valuable life experience. 

“A masculine culture still pervades the Houses of the Oireachtas, which can sometimes feel like a boxing club. Fine Gael in particular has invested significantly in attracting more women into public life, and I feel confident that the introduction of gender quotas will help to further boost female representation. But we must continue to challenge attitudes and practices if we are to shatter the political glass ceiling.”