Political parties set to adopt female representation quotas

New legislation is on the way that will force political parties to include more women on their election tickets.

Though the rules will ensure that at least 30% of candidates at the next election will be women, they will still have to win their seats.

Political party leaders, party administrators and guest international speakers will all be sharing their views on the issue at a cross-party conference on the issue in Dublin Castle today.

"Most women that get elected are not just meritorious, they usually have to work far harder than others, and there are all sorts of barriers," said Minister for Equality Kathleen Lynch.

"Those barriers are not when it comes to the physical election itself, those barriers are there long before that."