FF selects Barbara Ahern to run in Cork East, exceeding State's new gender-quota rule

By Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Political Reporter

Fianna Fáil has pushed itself just above the State's new female candidate gender quota after selecting a second person to run in the Cork East constituency.

The opposition party's national constituencies committee confirmed tonight that accountant Barbara Ahern will join councillor Kevin O Keeffe on the general election ticket.

The move means 20 of the party's 64 candidates are female, or 31.25% of the total. Without Ms Ahern, Fianna Fáil would not have reached the State's strict new 30% female candidate gender quota rule.

Any party which fails to meet the target level will automatically see its State funding slashed by 50%, significantly curtailing its funding for future political strategies.

Fianna Fáil still has to select its candidates in Cavan-Monaghan - where a decision is expected on Tuesday - and Roscommon-Galway, where there is still no fixed date on when candidates will be chosen.

Sitting TD Brendan Smith is widely expected to be re-selected in Cavan-Monaghan, with Fianna Fáil declining to say whether the constituencies will involve one or two-person tickets - or if more candidates will be added at a future date.