Flannery: Gender quotas have made life difficult for young male politicians

Former Fine Gael strategist Frank Flannery has said that gender quotas have made it "difficult" for young, ambitious men in politics.

Speaking at MacGill Summer School, Mr Flannery said that while the quota system is "'absolutely right" and that he believes some parties are now picking female candidates instead of male.

He said that the quotas of 30% or 40% are the only way to get a breakthrough of encouraging women to stand for the Dáil.

However, Frank Flannery said that it is making life "difficult" for young men in politics.

"It is difficult for young, ambitious men now in some parties sometimes because they are sometimes being pushed aside in favour of young, ambitious women, " he said.

"And they feel a certain sense of grievance, that is undoubtedly true."