Politics of family life

I have heard and read the debate about gender balance in the Dáil, and am in favour of more women in politics.

I disagree with family being an excuse as to why women are deterred from entering politics. Commentators say it is easy for men to swan in and out of the Dáil, including on nights like the recent late session for the abortion legislation. Men, too, love their families, and can ill-afford to lose out on quality time with their children and spouses. The 2011 elections saw a swell of young TDs enter the lower house, many of whom have young families.

Men cannot be absent from their homes until 5am. Think about small children that waited up to see their father, but he was held up in a farcical Dáil debate in the middle of the night. This issue is not exclusively a female concern in terms of political equality.