Margaret Sweeney departure leaves Ireland with no female chiefs of stock market-listed firms

The lack of gender equality at the top of companies listed on Ireland’s exchange is exacerbated by the fact it is dominated by traditionally male-heavy industries like construction, said Gillian Harford, Ireland’s country executive at 30% Club

Since Margaret Sweeney retired on Tuesday as chief executive of Ireland’s biggest private residential landlord Irish Residential Properties REIT, all 31 companies listed on Euronext Dublin’s website are to be headed by a man.

Ireland has become one of only two EU states to have no women leading any of its listed companies, in a setback for a country that has become known for achieving rapid social change in recent decades.

Since Margaret Sweeney retired on Tuesday as chief executive of Ireland’s biggest private residential landlord Irish Residential Properties REIT, all 31 companies listed on Euronext Dublin’s website are to be headed by a man.