Political parties 'must run more female candidates in a meaningful way'

One senator maintained that some women are not 'political animals' but Oireachtas committee also heard that politics is not accessible for women due to barriers put in their way

National Women’s Council leadership officer Ciara McHugh told the Oireachtas committee: 'The issue is not that women are not interested, the issue is that the system is set up in a way that excludes them.' Picture: Oireachtas TV

Political parties must run more female candidates in a “meaningful and serious way” while not all women are “political animals”, the Oireachtas committee on children, equality, disability, integration and youth has heard.

At its meeting on Tuesday about challenges faced by women in accessing education, leadership, and political roles, Women’s Collective Ireland CEO Miriam Holt said women at the grassroots are not getting beyond representation on local school boards and community group volunteering roles which she said is becoming a “stagnant route”.