Big Government parties challenged over gender balance in Laois election teams

Clockwise:Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, FF, Vivienne Phelan, FG, in Stradbally with Taoiseach Simon Harris, Thomasina Connell, FG and Bryan Corrigan, Labour who raised the issue.

placeholder image — Clockwise:Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald, FF, Vivienne Phelan, FG, in Stradbally with Taoiseach Simon Harris, Thomasina Connell, FG and Bryan Corrigan, Labour who raised the issue.

Labour candidate 'disconcerted' by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil selection of women

The low number of women candidates being fielded by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil in Laois at the local elections is an unsettling example of 'parish pump' politics, according to a Labour Party hopeful.

Bryan Corrigan, a candidate in the Mountmellick / Borris-in-Ossory, said he is 'disconcerted' by the level of female inclusion on the tickets of both parties in Laois.

"This is more of the same 'parish pump system'", said Mr Corrigan in a statement adding it is proof that "the time for change cannot come soon enough".

He continued: "Both parties are just representations of each other in his area at this stage when it comes to female and gender equality and it is no wonder that more women are not putting themselves forward locally or nationally in politics and or elections," he said.

Mr Corrigan specifically addressed the area where he is hoping to get elected. He said Fine Gael have two and Fianna Fáil have five male candidates but no women present.

"It says a lot when the current in Government parties can be viewed as a rehashed “Men’s Shed” in his area, a shed with a rejuvenation chamber with neon lighting out the back that is dusted off and plugged in every five years.

“This is a further example of the Government not being in touch with the women in his area of Mountmellick and Borris-in-Ossory and on the ground," he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

The Fine Gael local election team includes two women.

He called for the women in Mountmellick and Borris-in-Ossory to voice their agreement with him to support female inclusion in politics in his area saying “nothing will change if it’s not forced locally”.

He said the Labour Party fully supports women in politics and his party leader Ivana Bacik is well recognised as being an advocate for women and their rights.

Mr Corrigan also highlighted recent worthy developments on a “Women’s Shed in Portlaoise and in particular the great work that its members are doing for women who experience loneliness and other life challenges.

The Labour Party is running one female candidate in Laois - Cllr Marie Tuohy in the Portlaoise Municipal District. Eoin Barry is the party's candidate in the Portarlington Graiguecullen area.

Fine Gael has two candidates in its team of eight - Cllr Thomasina Connell in Portlaoise and Vivienne Phelan in the Portarlington Graiguecullen area. The now Taoiseach Simon Harris launched Ms Phelan's campaign in April before Leo Varadkar resigned. The party has eight candidates.

Fianna Fáil has selected one woman from its team of 11 candidates. Cllr Catherine Fitzgerald is running again in Portlaoise.

Some of the Fianna Fáil candidates including Cllr Fitzgerald.

Sinn Féin is running four women candidates out of seven in total. Aontú sole female candidate is female and two of the three Geen Party candidates are women. One of the two Independent Party candidates in Laois is female.

A number of women who are not affiliated to any political party are also hoping to take seats when 19 candidates are returned to represent voters on Laois County Council after the June 7 poll.