Sexist incidents show need for Dáil reform

Published: Thursday, July 11, 2013

Video footage circulating on the Internet shows a male TD grabbing a female TD during a break in the debate on the Protection of Life during Pregnancy Bill.

Responding to the footage Eóin Murray, Coordinator of National Women’s Council of Ireland’s Women in Politics project said,

“We have a long way to go before politics in Ireland is a woman-friendly place. The Dáil chamber should be subject to the rules of professional conduct we would expect in any workplace. Indeed, as the home of our democracy the rules and standards of behaviour should be even higher.”

He continued,

“Any sexist incident sends a message to women that unprofessional behaviour is acceptable in politics. This discourages women from getting involved, but we urge women to get more politically active so we can change our political system. This would include ending the practice of late evening debates in the Dáil. Such working times are absolutely family unfriendly and unnecessary in a modern democracy."

Eóin Murray concluded,

“NWCI calls on Fine Gael and the Chief Whip to investigate any complaints brought before them. We also offer our full support to Ireland’s small number of women politicians who face specific and real challenges in the male-dominated environment of Irish politics.”

ENDS/

For further information please contact Silke Paasche, Communications Officer, National Women's Council of Ireland, Tel. 085 858 9104.