‘Sexism is alive in the Dáil and Seanad’

Sexism is “alive and well” in the Dáil, according to female parliamentarians, who said the “macho” and “laddish” culture must change if more women are to enter politics.

Fine Gael TD Mary Mitchell O’Connor has called for a new code of conduct on how members treat each other, including guidelines and sanctions for sexist language and behaviour.

The youngest parliamentarian, Sinn Féin senator Kathryn Reilly, 24, said the failure to fully condone incidents in the Oireachtas in the past week had served to “normalise” macho behaviour and turn women away from politics.

Their comments come as independent senator David Norris withdrew some of what was described as “sexist” language against a female TD who he said was “talking through her fanny”.

This, and another incident last week — when Fine Gael TD Tom Barry pulled his colleague, Áine Collins, on to his lap — have raised questions about whether the Oireachtas is an unfriendly workplace for women.

Ms Mitchell O’Connor spoke out against this incident, telling the Irish Examiner it was “totally inappropriate” behaviour by Mr Barry. She said she will raise it with the Taoiseach.

She said that events of the past week have been “very off-putting to women, very disrespectful to women, and diminish women, and are just unacceptable”.

“It’s just not on, and as the 25 females [in the Dáil], we just can’t accept that,” said Ms Mitchell O’Connor.

“Sexism is alive in Dáil Éireann and in Seanad Éireann and we have proof of that this week.”

Asked if this included her Fine Gael party, she said: “Yes, I would say it’s alive and well in all parties.”

Ms Collins said she hopes the “lapgate” incident involving her and Mr Barry will not deter women from entering politics because “it is not an example of the typical behaviour”.

Labour senator Ivana Bacik said many people have worked hard in trying to encourage more women into politics. She said while overt sexism is rare, proceedings can be “very laddish”. Ms Bacik called for debate “on the need to change our culture and our procedures to ensure that our parliament is more friendly towards diversity, and particularly towards gender diversity”.

Fianna Fáil senator Averil Power said she would support such a debate, adding that while sexist incidents are not commonplace “the culture can be very macho”.

Under new gender quota rules, parties will lose funding unless 30% of candidates are women. When this happens, “the environment will change automatically”, Ms Power said.

Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin said the Dáil is no more sexist than any other workplace and some of the most supportive members of the House are men.