‘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.