Quota aims to boost number of female TDs

STATE funding for political parties would be halved unless 30% of their general election candidates are female under a bill aimed at boosting the number of women in politics.

The Government also approved plans to substantially limit corporate donations to political parties and individuals after being told such contributions could not be scrapped altogether.

But Fianna Fáil last night accused the Government of failing to keep a pledge to fully end corporate donations.