Gender equality is more than a goal in itself. It is a precondition for meeting the challenge of reducing poverty, promoting sustainable development and building good governance.

Can’t wait until the “How to elect more left handed people” conference rolls around. I’ll be there in a flash. For too long our people have suffered the oppression of those on the right! The proportion of left handed US presidents vs the same proportion amongst the general population PROVES that we deserve our own quota on the ballot paper.

I mean, we’re all about equality right :)

Good grief, what a waste of a conference. Some decent childcare provisions and the ability to transfer maternity leave to the father would do the trick.

Quota’s are undemocratic. Women should be elected on their own merits, I’m for more women and more gay men,African women,Protestants and Muslims in gov but I don’t think forcing a party to pick a candidate just to fill a quota is a good idea.
We’ve had 2 female presidents. A female Tanaiste and I think its only time before we have a female Taoiseach. Do we really need quota’s. Maybe trying to encourage females at local level to enter politics would be better.

I agree that there should be more women encouraged to go into politics, but it should be because they have real conviction for it , not because they,ll think it,s easier because the posts will be there waiting for them

I’m a little bit confused here. First we were told that 30% of candidates had to be women, now we are be told that we must get more women into politics. Why put in this stupid quota system if there is not enough women there in the first place?

I wanna be a TD, where do I sign up?

When are we going to have a, “How to elect the unelectable” conference?

I honestly believe women in general (not Lucy Creten) are better at most things like teaching, medicine, law, finance, the arts , volunteering, practical organising of things etc, etc. and that is why they don’t get into politics as they are smart enough to realise it takes a lifetime to achieve any worthwhile change to society through politics. The men on the other hand have such big egos and appetites for power that it is a full time job satisfying these needs and we accept this as normal. They behave like kids in all houses of parliament in all most countries. It is like a boys boasting about the size of their dicks when everybody knows they are inadequate and that is why they are politicians in the first place. So girls – do something more productive and rewarding for society and let these halfwits waste their time and our money. I think Beverly Flynn should fit in with the lads just fine – there are exceptions to the rules.

Just what we need,more Wimmin with power,ain’t Angela enough?

Let women politicians walk around topless. I was in a strip club last night and all the workers were women, so obviously what attracts women to work is being allowed to work topless.

What Ireland needs now is a few more Beverly Cooper Flynns. ;-)

This is totally waste of our resources if more women wanted to go into politics I am sure they would what an insult as as others have mentioned above do we go right across the spectrum and go for religion, ethnic communities.Why not be honest and have a conference on Capability and honesty

I would like to see Bertie’s ex wife enter the Dail. Then Celica could join her on the front bench. Of course they would need bank accounts set up or maybe Cardiff’s wife could join them and cash their cheques. Mind you they wouldent fill Mary Harneys boots or seat. Did I read in the papers some time ago that Harneys was an alcoholic? I doubt she was on her own by the looks of them.