Record number of women in Irish election, says group

A record number of women candidates are registered to stand in this month's general election in the Republic of Ireland, according to a campaign group.

Figures released by Women for Election suggest 247 women are running for seats across the country - a 53% increase on the last election in 2020.

The group analysed nominations published by the returning officers in all 43 constituencies, and described the figures as "phenomenal".

Nominations closed on Saturday. A total of 685 candidates will contest the election which will be held on 29 November.

Parties have been issued with a candidate gender quota, requiring them to have at least 40% men and 40% women on their ballots.

Those failing to reach that quota face a reduction of 50% in state funding.

The Women for Election group said Ireland was the 104th in the world in terms of the number of women in national parliaments.

It said the last Daíl (Irish parliament) had 37 women TDs (members of the Dáil) out of 160.

The total number of TDs due to be elected has increased to 174.

Twenty one women have served in cabinet positions in Irish governments, and no more than four women have been in cabinet at the same time.

Countess Markievicz became the first women government minister in Ireland in 1919 when she was appointed minister for labour.

More than half a century passed before a Galway TD, Márie Geoghegan-Quinn, became the second woman to be appointed to serve in an Irish government, in 1979.

No woman has ever served in three of the most senior government positions of taoiseach (Irish prime minister), minister for finance or minister for foreign affairs.