Independent Ireland miss 40% Gender Quota by a Country Mile –Boland

Leaders of Independent Ireland have failed spectacularly to meet the 40% gender quota required by law for the upcoming election, a Fine Gael General Election candidate has said.

Of the 22 candidates selected by Michael Collins, Richard O’Donoghue, and Michael Fitzmaurice, just seven are women.

Grace Boland, Fine Gael General Election candidate in Dublin Fingal West, said: “This is an embarrassing failure by Independent Ireland. Their candidate list is there for everyone to see—they only managed 31%. That is well short of the 40% target legislated by my party, Fine Gael, as a critical step toward greater representation of women in politics.

“Why are Independent Ireland so against having women candidates? Are the three wise men of Independent Ireland—Michael Collins, Richard O’Donoghue, and Michael Fitzmaurice—threatened by women?

“They didn’t even bother to aim for parity. Add in Conor McGregor’s pal, Philip Sutcliffe, who’s appearing on the ballot for them tomorrow, and it’s clear that’s exactly where their priorities lie—showmanship over substance. It’s a slap in the face to women all over the country.

“This wasn’t a close call—it was a total miss. Independent Ireland’s leadership had every opportunity to step up, but instead, they showed they don’t care about women. Voters should be asking what this says about their values.

“Women are more than capable of leading in every sphere of life—why should politics be any different? Independent Ireland’s failure to put forward female candidates sends a loud and clear message to women and girls across the country: ‘You’re not a priority for us.’ It’s disgraceful, and the people of Ireland deserve better,” Boland concluded.