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FINE GAEL HAS been accused of ‘shafting’ women after a controversial directive to members in Louth saw the two sitting male TDs selected to run for re-election.
Incumbent deputies Fergus O’Dowd and Peter Fitzpatrick were last night selected to run for re-election in the Louth-East Meath constituency, leaving some spurned female candidates questioning the party’s commitment to gender quotas.
At a stormy selection convention in Dundalk, constituency members were given a directive from Fine Gael headquarters that one candidate should be from Dundalk and the other from Drogheda.
This led to the selection of the two sitting deputies at the expense of a number of local councillors who had been nominated, including Paddy Meade, Sharon Tolan, Dolores Minogue and Colm Markey.
Ardee-based Minogue told TheJournal.ie this afternoon that she believed her area and women in the party had been “shafted”.
“We are sandwiched between the two big towns the whole time. I feel that Fine Gael has now neglected mid Louth again. We’ve missed an opportunity to have a political representative at a national level for mid Louth.
We’ve missed a woman’s voice in mid Louth too. That’s very worrying when when we are supposed to be the party supporting women. I feel women and mid Louth have been shafted by Fine Gael.
Minogue said she was especially disappointed given she had been one of the councillors selected for special training by the party.
“It is disappointing especially when I was one of Enda’s people that was picked to do these meetings. They were a great insight into how the party runs and you’re being trained up for something,” she said.
It’s like being on the football team and you were told to get off. But the team was picked before we went in.
By law, a third of each political parties’ candidates for the next Dáil elections must be female with some observers projecting that Fine Gael will have to add at least three or four women to election tickets across the country.
The party insisted today it was “strongly committed” to increasing the number of female TDs in the next Dáil.
Another failed nominee, Bettystown-based councillor Sharon Tolan, said she was disappointed that members had not been directed to pick three candidates. She described the convention as a “missed opportunity”.
I would have had mixed views on gender quotas because I am anti-token women, but last night showed the importance of quotas in this country. Most incumbents are male and we’re never going to get decent female representation without gender quotas.
Tolan said that members were very angry at not being allowed to vote for the candidates they wanted. She also claimed that some had been in contact with her today to say they’d thrown their Fine Gael membership cards in the bin after last night’s events.
“People were very angry,” she said.
Both councillors are hopeful the party might add one of them to the ticket for the five-seat constituency. Minogue said she had been approached by “other people to go in a different direction” but insisted that it is not on her agenda at present.
Speaking to LMFM this morning, Fitzpatrick denied that anyone had been shafted.
The former county football boss u-turned on a decision to step down as a TD last month amid reports he was assured Fine Gael would only pursue a two-candidate strategy in Louth.
He insisted that last night’s directive came on foot of a recommendation of the Fine Gael executive in the constituency. He added:
I would never shaft anybody in my life. I’m a very honest individual.
In a response to questions about the directive to members in Louth, a Fine Gael spokesperson said:
The Fine Gael Executive Council determines candidate strategy, including directives and additions, in each constituency on a case-by–case basis in the interest of seeking to ensure the best possible electoral outcome. The Executive Council is a representative body, elected by the Fine Gael membership.
They added that in government Fine Gael has introduced the gender quotas requirement and insisted: “We are strongly committed to increasing the number of female TDs in the next Dáil.”
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So sad. RIP
RIP and I’m truly sorry that you had to make the ultimate sacrifice to care for others.
May they rest in peace. Where would we be without these brave people.
Thank you to everyone in our health care services.
I knew Jim. I remember him since around the time he started school. An honest, decent man always. RIP Jim and condolences to all those affected.
Rip.
Heartbreaking. RIP to these kind gentle souls.
I know the vast majority are staying home but there are others still not sticking to the rules. My neighbour is still visiting her sister and friends – inconsiderate.
@Marie McG: and just as bad Marie, they’re accepting her as a visitor. Those selfish people should reflect on those two selfless people who passed away.
@filthypete: I agree. Sadly some people don’t think the rules apply to them. Anyone reporting others for flouting these rules?
Dying and grieving in isolation is one of the cruelest aspects of life right now.
For those who have lost someone close recently, I’m offering a simple gesture to create a video memoir which can be shared privately among family and friends. No charge. All the details can be found here: https://twitter.com/eoinkernan/status/1247901328069689346?s=21
@Eoin Kernan: Nice one Eoin.
@Eoin Kernan: that’s very kind of you and I’d say very appreciated by those who avail of it
@Eoin Kernan: this is one of the most effective posts I have seen in this ever!! Well done Eoin most generous of you
@Eoin Kernan: thank you all for your kind words. The kindest thing you could do is to share this with your network so it reaches those who may need it.
Very sad. They died helping others
R. I. P I HOPE THE HSE WILL LOOK AFTER THERE Family’s financially its the least they could do very sad.
As a nation every year we celebrate the Easter rising and the people who gave their lives for their country. Going forward people like Catherine and Jim should also be remembered annually as people who gave their lives for their country……. Not just locally but as a country. Its the least we can do. R.I.P.
Heroes…
@Nathan: I noticed tin foil had run out of supermarkets. I’m pretty sure hundreds of thousands are dying and economies are being decimated as part of a concerted global effort by governments to have you under surveillance.
As mentioned by the above posters, sincere condolences to all the health workers and patients who have passed away. The ultimate selfless sacrifice for the good of greater society. Imagine risking your life everyday for people you don’t know, but rely on you for help. True, true heroes.
It brings it much closer to home being a health care worker.
R.I.P
Hospital front liners now really deserve some sort of a hazard pay or a once off tax breaks from the government to value them even more
So so sad
Sad news and for all those that have passed may they rest in peace.
Essential workers need to be remembered for this and what they do..
Stay safe
RIP heroes!
RIP. Condolences to both families. My sister works in the same hospital. #Stayhomestaysafe
God bless them….loved and remembered.
Certin people have very little respect for front line health workers an even think they can bring a judicial review of measures designed to protect everyone.
It’s very sad hopefully we see better results soon , stay home and stay safe family over everything ! RIP
Rest in peace Jim u wer some character
Rest in peace Jim you wer some character
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