Female politicians to mark women's election breakthrough

Scores of women elected to the Oireachtas will pack the Dáil chamber next week to mark the 90th anniversary of the first female TD and MP.

The momentous event, involving more than 70 current and former TDs and senators, will also commemorate the 1918 poll in which women had the right to vote for the first time.

Independent Senator Ivana Bacik said the special ceremony will highlight the current small numbers of women involved in Irish politics, which she branded a "national disgrace".

“We will have over 70 women taking up seats in the chamber and thereby for the first time ever nearly half filling it with women,” Ms Bacik said.

“It is really representing, in a visual way, the remarkable achievements of women that have been elected, but also highlighting how small the level of women’s representation remains in Irish politics.”

In December 1918 revolutionary nationalist Constance Markiewicz became the first woman elected to the British House of Commons as an MP, but she turned down her seat.

Instead she became the first woman TD to take part in the newly established Dáil Éireann.

Currently, just 22 of the 166 Dáil members are women, while 13 out of 60 in the Seanad are female. Of the 4,452 Dail seats filled since 1918, 219 of these have been filled by women.

Ms Bacik said Ireland is ranked 87th in the world for the number of women in a national parliament.

The independent senator said it was time for parties to take steps to ensure more women break through the traditionally male-dominated world of politics.

She suggested party chiefs should ensure an even divide of male and female candidates in elections.

“I think it is a national disgrace and I think it’s time the political parties took it upon themselves to adopt more policies and procedures for women to come forward for participation and selection as candidates," Ms Bacik said.