Clare women sign up to stop male-only ballot

THREE women made an eleventh-hour decision yesterday to register as candidates in the Clare constituency in an effort to “balance the ballot.”

Prior to yesterday, there were 12 male candidates contesting the four-seat constituency, prompting Sarah Ferrigan, Ann Cronin and Madeline McAleer, to make their move.

Ms McAleer has a background in the community sector and runs her own online business. “This is a move towards how a ballot paper should look in an open, fair and functioning democracy. Without us, there would not have been a woman on the ballot paper in Co Clare.

“We could not allow that to happen in 21st century Ireland. There are many serious issues in the community, health and business sectors locally and nationally that need to be addressed by a range of voices.”

The three women and a group of supporters went to Ennis courthouse yesterday to formally hand in their nominations to the county registrar.

Ms Ferrigan said: “Decisions that affect all of society should be made in a government reflective of that society.”

The Ennis residents pointed out that they are not affiliated to any party, organisation or ideology. They cited a report by Sandra McAvoy, lecturer in Women’s Studies in UCC, showing Ireland has slipped to 82nd place in a world classification league of women’s representation in parliament.

Ms McAleer stated: “In Ireland, women account for only 17% of members of local authorities, but in Clare that figure is even less. There are 32 county councillors in Clare and only one of them is a women. There are no female TDs in Clare.”

The most recent woman to represent Clare was former minister Síle de Valera, who stepped down from politics in 2007. Ms Cronin said: “Our desire for change reflects the public mood to move to a more inclusive form of politics. We are delighted to be able to ‘balance the ballot’ and give the people of Clare choice.”