For Immediate Release: Dáil Dissolves 

It’s On: A Chance for a Better Balanced Dáil with More Women TDs 

The dissolution of the Dáil today marks the formal starting gun on the General Election campaign in which a record-breaking number of women, +40% so far on the 2020 General Election, are stepping up to run for the Dáil. 

“Across our communities, women from all walks of life are running for election in greater numbers than ever before, bringing the possibility of a much wider and balanced range of perspectives to the next Dáil. Politics works best when there is a balance of men and women involved”, said Brian Sheehan, CEO of Women for Election.  

Ireland currently ranks 104th in the world for the number of women in national parliaments. In the outgoing Dáil, there were just 37 women TDs out of 160, making 23% of all TDs. Just 131 women have ever been elected to the Dáil since the foundation of the State, during which 1,214 men have been elected to those seats of power.  

“When our political institutions are so unrepresentative of the population, they struggle to truly serve the population’s interests. More women being returned to the next Dail will make politics work better for everyone.  

“This is an election that could fundamentally change the political landscape, Voters in Ireland have a huge opportunity to make politics work better for everyone by electing more women. There are talented, capable and competent women running in every constituency. Women for Election are asking all voters, women and men, to research these women candidates and consider voting for them.  

“Voting for more women isn’t just about achieving equality; it’s about achieving a better-balanced democracy” concluded Sheehan. 

ENDS