Fitzgerald in favour of political gender quota

New legislation, proposed by the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, could see political parties forced to implement a 30% gender quota for general election candidates.

Mr Hogan is expected to ask the Cabinet to sign off on the legislation. If it is passed, parties will face a heavy financial penalty if they fail to meet the gender target.

Currently, only 25 of the 166 seats in the Dáil are occupied by women.

Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald is just one senior woman in Government who has been very vocal on the issue.

Speaking today at the 40th Anniversary celebration of Down Syndrome Dublin, Minister Fitzgerald said she supports the legislation.

"What we have is a proposed… from the Minister for the Environment Phil Hogan, that in future political party funding would be tied to parties running 30% of women candidates," she said.

"The goal of that is to increase the number of women who are elected to the Dáil.

"It is a proactive measure and I welcome it strongly."