Govt considering female quota for parties

Efforts are continuing to boost the number of female representatives in the Dáil.

The Government is reportedly considering plans to punish political parties financially if they fail to reach a pre-decided quota of TD's who are women.

It follows news that both Olwyn Enright and Liz McManus plan to stand down at the next General Election.

If the proposals are given the green light, State support would be reduced for parties which aren't doing their bit to close the gender gap in the Dáil.