Record number of women in the 32nd Dáil

A record number of women will form part of the new Dáil as gender quotas put more females on the ballot papers.

It may take two more elections before gender quotas are fully accepted and become a normal part of the political system, but they have already boosted the number of women entering Leinster House. So far, 32 women have been elected to the 32nd Dáil with at least two more expected to cross the line after recounts.

The National Women’s Council of Ireland says the quota system has already initiated change in the “culture of political parties” and believe they have worked.