We need real electoral reform, not quotas

THE linkage of state funding for political parties, which is explicitly given on the basis that it can’t be used for electoral campaigning purposes, to the manner in which they conduct their campaigns, is deeply ironic.

This irony would be merely a matter of fun if the proposal was not also blind to the electoral realities of our society. This has been noted by others in respect of the NUI Seanad panel elections where there are no political party hoops to jump and no time-serving as a party activist is required.

Over the last three elections – in years 2002, 2007, and 2011 — there were 16, 24 and 27 candidates, respectively; of these, there were three, seven and last time only four, women seeking election.