Fine Gael in race to add two female candidates to run in general election

Fine Gael is in a race against time to find two more female candidates to run in the general election after the party was forced to allow sitting TD John Perry the chance to defend his Dáil seat.

Department of Finance junior minister Simon Harris admitted the situation after the party headquarter’s U-turn yesterday, but stressed the party will still reach the 30% female candidate gender quota rate.

Speaking on Newstalk’s The Pat Kenny Show after Fine Gael decided to allow Mr Perry to run as a third candidate in Sligo-Leitrim, Mr Harris admitted the situation means the party’s female candidacy level has fallen to 28.5%.