The Irish Government is facing criticism for the low number of women appointed to senior positions, particularly following the appointments of Ministers of State. Opposition parties and women's organizations have condemned the lack of gender balance, with some calling it 'shameful' and a 'reduction' from the previous government. Fianna Fáil sources expressed 'disappointment' over the limited number of female appointments, while Fine Gael defended their representation. The issue arose amidst ongoing fallout from the response to Storm Éowyn, which further highlighted concerns about the Government's handling of critical situations.
Ged Nash: the Labour Party TD said said the Government seemed to be more concerned about geography rather than gender when making appointments. Photograph: Stephen Collins/ Collins Photos
Aldagh McDonagh, chair of Women for Election, said. “It is very disappointing again to see that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have not prioritised a gender balance among the Ministers of State appointed . With just six women out of the 23 Ministers of State, there is a reduction in percentage terms from the last government”.
He said that it was “a strong possibility” that more women would have been appointed as ministers if more women were elected, but denied that the Government was blaming voters for the relatively low number of women ministers. One Fianna Fáil source said it was “embarrassing” to see the photograph of new Ministers of State lined up side-by-side, and that there was “disappointment” that party leader Micheál Martin had not appointed more women.Fianna Fáil Meath West TD Aisling Dempsey said, however, that she felt the calls for strict gender balance had gone “too far”.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman, minister for integration in the previous government, however, said that having the issue led by a junior minister is a “huge mistake”.
GENDER BALANCE GOVERNMENT APPOINTMENTS IRELAND OPPOSITION CRITICISM STORM ÉOWYN
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