Female TDs celebrate breakthrough election as 35 women take seats in the Dáil

Newly elected women TDs gathered in Dublin to mark a historic and breakthrough general election for women.

To mark International Women’s Day, the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) was joined by newly elected TD for Dublin Bay South Kate O’Connell (FG); Mayo’s Lisa Chambers (FF); Tánaiste Joan Burton (Labour); Joan Collins (Ind); Catherine Murphy (Social Democrats); and Dublin MEP Lynn Boylan (SF).

A total of 35 women were elected to the Dáil in the recent election, and now make up just over 22% of all deputies. This marks an increase from the previous record of 25 women TDs in the 2011 election.