2011 wipeout gives FF chance to run female candidates

The Fianna Fáil wipeout in the 2011 general election has given new female candidates the chance to fill the otherwise empty electoral landscape.

Micheál Martin made the claim as he insisted the party will be able to meet the 30% female candidate gender quota in time for the next general election.

Currently, Fianna Fáil has no female TDs and just two female senators — Averil Power and Mary White. In addition, it had the lowest percentage of female candidates out of any party in May’s local elections, and in the upcoming Dáil by-elections, the party has chosen two male candidates to run.