More women in politics 'long overdue' says the Tánaiste

The Tánaiste has said that the day Ireland has more women in politics is 'long overdue'.

Joan Burton was responding to former senior Fine Gael strategist Frank Flannery, who told MacGill Summer School it's 'difficult' for young men in the political arena who are 'pushed aside' in favour of female candidates.

Mr Flannery said some male candidates feel 'aggrieved' by the quotas - but he said that he does support them.

Tánaiste Joan Burton said that the quotas benefit both men and women, and they should not be regarded as anything other than positive.

"I think it's good for everybody to have a critical mass of both women and men involved in politics. I think the day is long overdue in Ireland when we have more women in politics, and I'm sure Frank Flannery is very strongly in favour of that," said the Tánaiste.