More Seáns and Johns than women elected to Dáil

THERE have been more Seáns and Johns than women elected to Dáil Éireann, according to an analysis of all TDs elected since 1918. There were 99 Johns and 31 Seáns elected over the last century compared with just 114 women, according to the analysis for Women for Election.

Of all the people ever elected to the Dáil since the foundation of the state, only nine per cent were women, while 91 per cent were men. That is according to Caroline Kirrane, Adjunct Lecturer at Trinity College Business School who analysed the data.

Financial expert Kirrane is spearheading an innovative crowdfunding campaign which aims to raise €50,000 for Women for Election. Women for Election will use the funds to subsidise training 300 women to stand for election. The campaign also aims to raise awareness of the need for more women in politics.

The campaign was launched last evening at an event hosted at Twitter’s headquarters in Dublin followed by a discussion with a panel of high-profile politicians.

The campaign has already raised 30% of its funding target after going live this morning.

The progress of the campaign can be monitored at www.womenforelection.ie/donate.

The launch marks five years since the organisation was founded in 2012. Since then, Women for Election has trained more than 1,000 women to take the next step on their political journeys.

Mayo's Deputy Lisa Chambers and Senator Rose Conway-Walsh both took part in a Women for Election training programme ahead of the 2016 General Election. Both have welcomed the plan to raise €50,000 in this innovative crowdfunding campaign.

Deputy Chambers said Women for Election has a strong track record of providing practical support to inspire, equip and inform women entering politics.

Of the 194 women who secured seats in the 2014 local elections, 50% were trained on Women for Election programmes, while in the 2016 General Election, 40% of the successful women TDs had been through the programmes.

Thirty-five women were elected as members of the 32nd Dáil, an all- time high. Yet, women still account for just 22% of TDs and 30% of senators.

“It is never too early to prepare for the next election. Women need to get ready to run in the local elections in 2019 and the next general election. With the help of the training provided by Women for Election, I look forward to seeing even more women represented politically at local and national level,” said Deputy Chambers.