Radical measures required to ensure gender balance in politics, according to women's organisations

Calls come after 'disappointing' local elections

Billy Kelleher, MEP with his sister, Cobh candidate Sheila O'Callaghan, Fianna Fáil, at the count centre in County Hall, Cork. Picture: Dan Linehan

Radical measures, including gender quotas and changes to working arrangements, are now required to ensure gender balance in politics after "disappointing" local elections for women, according to women's organisations.

While a record number of 677 women contested the elections, up from 566 in 2019, they only made up 31% of all of the candidates.