33% of candidates for Dáil to be women

Women are expected to make up at least one third of candidates from each political party in the next general election, under a bill passed through the Seanad yesterday which will proceed to the Dáil for a vote.

The long-awaited gender-quota legislation was met with applause by some senators when it passed by 37 votes to eight.

Fianna Fáil voting against it. However, the party clarified last night it remained committed to addressing gender imbalances and would adhere to the quota when it was introduced.