Dáil life not conducive to gender parity

Long sitting hours, late-night party meetings, and the clientele-style nature which requires TDs to be available to voters "day and night" make politics in Ireland incompatible with personal and family life.

That is according to a report which recommends that the Government examine measures to “transform the Irish political system” — including the opening hours of the Dáil — to make it more responsive to the family needs of its members.

It says maternity leave, not currently available to TDs, be provided for at least 18 weeks, during which a guaranteed vote-pairing arrangement with opposing parties would be provided.