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Cash pool for female startup founders needed to 'end discrimination against women'

An Oireachtas committee wants a €25 million fund set aside for female entrepreneurs.

Updated 16.53

MORE MONEY SHOULD be ring-fenced for female-led startups and better maternity benefits made available for entrepreneurs to end the “discrimination against women that still exists in the workplace”.

An Oireachtas jobs committee has called for a €25 million investment fund to be set up exclusively for female entrepreneurs as part of a string of measures to make the most of their “untapped potential”.

A 2012 analysis of businesses in Enterprise Ireland’s high-potential startup (HPSU) systems over the past 10 years showed only 5% were led by women. Since then the proportion has steadily increased to more than 18% so far this year.

The committee’s chair, Fine Gael TD Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy, said the gender imbalance remained a “significant issue” both for female entrepreneurs and women in the tech industry more broadly.

90388231 Fine Gael TD Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy TD and Fianna Fáil senator Mary White Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie Sam Boal / RollingNews.ie / RollingNews.ie

Among the report’s recommendations was the “positive discrimination measure” of an Enterprise Ireland-initiated €25 million seed capital fund.

The money would be managed predominantly by women and used to back about 50 new female-led companies over five years.

“Access to finance remains a difficult and daunting prospect for women entrepreneurs,” the report said.

Part of it derives from the traditional stereotyping of women in careers other than leaders of enterprise; part of it is that women are more comfortable in such situations in dealing with other women.”

90318036 Businesswoman and Dragon's Den star Ramona Nicholas at the 2013 National Women's Enterprise Day Sasko Lazarov / Photocall Sasko Lazarov / Photocall / Photocall

Investment by women, for women

Enterprise Ireland already runs a Competitive Start Fund for Female Entrepreneurs, a €500,000 pool open to startups run by women.

But the committee said the funding should be doubled for the next three years with a second annual call for applicants each time around.

The report said the response to recent initiatives, like the competitive start fund, showed women “respond strongly to financial incentives and programmes specifically organised for, and directed to them”.

It also recommended introducing a two-year childcare incentive as part of Enterprise Ireland’s HPSU programme.

Capture Enterprise Ireland Enterprise Ireland

These were among the other moves suggested to boost the number of female entrepreneurs:

  • “More imaginative” promotion of female leaders already coming through Enterprise Ireland and Local Enterprise Offices as role models 
  • Giving female entrepreneurs the same maternity-benefit rights as female employees
  • A number of “female business angel networks” be actively promoted in the regions
  • A government-led “powerful, sustained and clear campaign” to inform parents, teachers and girls about the benefits of studying STEM subjects

‘Ending discrimination’

Fine Fáil senator Mary White, one of the co-authors of the committee’s report, said it was time for a “concerted effort” to remove barriers for female entrepreneurs.

“This is about ending the discrimination against women that still exists in the workplace,” she said.

Our research shows that women, and young women in particular, are far more reluctant than men to take the risks involved in starting a business. Much of this is down to the barriers associated with balancing career and motherhood.”

First published 11.00am

READ: Why Richard Branson isn’t a good role model for would-be startup founders >

READ: The payments startup founded by two Irish brothers now worth a staggering $5 billion >

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74 Comments
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    Mute Paul Debussy
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:04 AM

    It’s amazing to see how much help women need.

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    Mute Ally O'Rourke
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:11 AM

    I would say it’s amazing how little help self employed people get and how the issue is now being addressed, show me a man that has to go give birth while trying to run a business and then I will listen to your bitching.

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    Mute Paul Debussy
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:14 AM

    I’m not bitching, love. I’m simply expressing amazement.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:17 AM

    How does the positive discrimination fund have anything to do with giving birth?

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    Mute Ally O'Rourke
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:19 AM

    Did you read it? Have a read there.

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    Mute Enda O Brien
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:22 AM

    Hate the term positive discrimination theres nothing positive about discrimination like this.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:25 AM

    Are you being cranky? There’s a fund of 25m set up for women to use, not pregnant women, definitely not for men, just women.

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    Mute Joanna
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:30 AM

    It says it gives women entrepreneurs the same maternity benefits as women employees. Granted, reduced childcare costs and paternity benefits should be implemented too but it’s a positive step.

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    Mute Ally O'Rourke
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:38 AM

    It’s a good thing. Yes paternity leave would also be a good thing. I am sure there are plenty of entrepreneurship funds for men going, have a little google about it. This is specifically one programme to try to get women to start up their own businesses and one of the incentives is the same maternity leave benefits as women in employment. I don’t favour pushing women into any particular field that they don’t want to just to be PC or make the world seem like we’re all “equal”. I do however think that incentives for male or females to break out on their own into business and get out of a life of slavery working for the man is never a bad thing. It’s all good you know, we don’t all have to start shouting at each other and insulting each other (some calling me “love” for example and others asking me am I cranky because they know I am female, you’re just pathetic, the two of you)

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    Mute Paul Debussy
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:49 AM

    Show me one government run entrepreneurship fund in Ireland that is exclusively for men.
    Relax a bit, buddy, I only called you love because you accused me of bitching. :)

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    Mute Scarr
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:51 AM

    No, Ally, you’re being snide and cranky because I asked a question. You didn’t have to be, but you chose to be none the less and its not nice. And again, no, its not just 1 fund for women, its ‘one of’ the funds for women. I guess young men can just get stuffed in this case, maybe there’ll be something for them next week?

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    Mute Ally O'Rourke
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:58 AM

    Ok so you’re being honest about your gripe now instead of saying how amazed you are about how much help women need, which was a below the belt comment from the outset. Perhaps that there are so many successful male entrepreneurs, politicians and business tycoons in Ireland already they just want to push for some women to get into those positions as well. I don’t get why there “has” to be either and I’m not sure that it being a women only thing is a good thing, I never said that. What I am for, is anyone male or female getting into business. All self employed people are at a serious disadvantage but the medical bills and time off needed for a woman to have a baby means that a lot of women stay in the safe job option, so she remains a secretary when she could be running her own business, because of one or two financial pitfalls. Removing the pitfalls means we all benefit, her husband profits as well as her, why does it always start with the initial foot stamping we see here all the time? Your initial comment was put up to provoke. You were bitching.

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    Mute Ally O'Rourke
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:58 AM

    the above to Paul

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    Mute Ally O'Rourke
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:10 PM

    Snide and cranky…and I thought it was women who were the ones accused of dragging emotions into it. It’s just opinion I don’t really know you. “Scarr”.

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    Mute Paul Debussy
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:15 PM

    Nope, I genuinely am amazed.

    Females seem to need extra help and guidance, at least if we’re to go by by the type of stuff written on the journal, with everything from picking which classes to take in secondary school to choosing college courses, careers, entry into politics and whatever else.
    It does infer a general lack of ability.

    I do agree with you about the self employed stuff, though.

    I’m still waiting to see the men only entrepreneur fund by the way.

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    Mute Enda O Brien
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:16 PM

    @Ally stop up thumbing your own comments its pitiful.

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    Mute Ally O'Rourke
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:18 PM

    Well I’m not in disagreement with you at all about encouraging men as well as women.

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:59 PM

    @Paul. I can see where you’re coming from. I found the article somewhat oatronis

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    Mute Anne Marie Devlin
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:08 PM

    My phone is playing up. I found the tone of the article a bit patronising and can see where Paul’s coming from. I run a small business and received no help from anyone despite seeking it. Enterprise Ireland was then only interested in export businesses. I needed advice from an expert, not inspiration from another woman. However, there is a real issue re child birth and care. And women have to start seeing it as a whole family problem. It makes me mad to hear – all my wages go on childcare. My husband and I always shared the costs as a proportion of our respective salaries. neither my wages nor his went exclusively towards paying for children and no resentment.

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 2:07 PM

    This drivel of women being afraid to access finance would be slammed by the same people putting it forward had it come from Ivan Yates or the like.

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:02 PM

    Feminists don’t like you Anne. Your not weak enough and setting stereotypes

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    Mute Yvonne Smith
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:18 PM

    Quelle Surprise! The “poor men” brigade are out in force again! Everytime there’s an article to promote the development of women or that addresses female issues, you get the same commentators trying to completely deflect from the issue! Just waiting for some to use the phrase “femi-nazi”! Shouldn’t be long now. I also note that they are all mainly from fake accounts, which I think really discredits anything they have to say! If you’ve got an opinion and you feel strongly enough to write a comment, then own it and put your name to it! Anyway enough of me giving out, If you look at the existing schemes to promote entrepreneurship, it’s not a huge exaggeration to say they nearly exclusively fund men. Look at the statistics above for HPSU approvals, on average only roughly 13% of these since 2011 were awarded to female entreprenuers, which means roughly 87% were awarded to men! I accept that this likely because less women apply but clearly there’s an imbalance that needs to be addressed! And before all the red thumbs and “femi-nazi” comments etc, I certainly don’t hate men or want to see their opportunities cut . I don’t consider myself a feminist, more an egalitarian but it’s certainly not a bad thing to encourage women to set up their own businesses!

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    Mute catherine
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:25 PM

    Well said Yvonne !

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    Mute Jake Race
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:36 PM

    “I also note that they are all mainly from fake accounts, which I think really discredits anything they have to say!”

    Not at all. However, your use of ad hominem fallacy discredits your argument.

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    Mute Paul Debussy
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    Jul 30th 2015, 2:04 PM

    Looking at your figures in another way would suggest that women don’t cut the mustard and therefore suffer lower approval rates.

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 2:11 PM

    And every time there’s someone there is someone there to cry misogyny without directly replying to anyone.

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    Mute PoliticallyOriented
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    Jul 30th 2015, 2:48 PM

    There is a huge difference in a scheme that is being given mostly to men and a scheme that is exclusively for men. Like you admitted it’s probably because there are less female entrepreneurs. If you want to get rid of this so called ‘imbalance’ more women need to become Entrepreneurs simple as and I don’t think that it’s fair just because a lot of women choose to not be Entrepreneurs that they should be given schemes only for their gender.

    On the wider issue of equality for women I think that feminists and activists for women’s rights should bring attention to issues where there are actual problems with equality and not seeing them where there quite frankly isn’t a problem and actually a lot of problems to do with women’s equality is because of the imbalance with men like in regards to maternity leave, women are discriminated against in regards to employment because they get maternity leave and men do not. If you want to go for equality we should implement Paternity leave so the men get equal chance to be with their newborns. This would also eliminate a large part of the discrimination against women in regards to getting jobs because both men and women would have equal chance to go on paternity leave not just women on maternity leave.

    Admittedly my knowledge in regards to maternity leave is lacking so If I’ve made a genuine mistake feel free to correct it as long as it’s fact not opinion.

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    Mute Stephen M
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:05 PM

    If some women need a leg up to start their own little jobs then I don’t mind. Once the kids have flown the nest, it’s important for them to have something to do.

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    Mute Toddimus Maximus
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:13 PM

    That wasn’t condescending at all pal. Well done. Catherine your points are bang on the money

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    Mute little jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:38 PM

    As soon as there’s 25 million on offer for men only we’ll all be happy.

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:39 PM

    And as usual Yvonne – if a male dares to have an opinion then sexist people like you are shouting.

    I believe that equality is what we desperately need. I see some however who want women to dominate or ‘win’ in some sense.

    Change your own tyres, don’t expect doors opened, work down mines and sewers, and expect decent parental leave and affordable childcare. Demand and expect true equality at all levels.

    Quotas are unfair – but can be a useful short term tool. Meritocracy is a better solution in the long run.

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:39 PM

    Looking at your Twitter feed and rant Yvonne, it seems like you are a nazi feminist

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:50 PM

    why not just have 50 million on offer to everyone?

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    Mute Darren Norris
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:58 PM

    That would be equality Jimmy, women suffer more so therefore need more help.

    Its all here in this video: http://www.buzzfeed.com/candacelowry/watch-how-people-react-when-they-see-a-woman-abuse-a-man-in#.nd6JvAl7P

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    Mute Toddimus Maximus
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:00 PM

    Meritocracy is a dangerous notion in itself. That’s the mantra of the American Dream. The idea of feminism is the equal treatment of women. Let’s not lose the run of ourselves here. “Open your own doors”. That’s not chivalrous or masculine, it’s just general good manners.

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:24 PM

    As usual the “poor women” brigade are out in force, demanding special treatment in the name of equality without seeing the inherent hypocrisy

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:24 PM

    When women do better in education it’s because they work harder. When men do better in the workplace it’s sexism. What’s the harm in meritocracy? If anything this deal could be a breech of competition law.

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:59 PM

    Yvonne is happy to take men’s money by force of law, but they better not say anything about it!

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    Mute catherine
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:38 PM

    Like it or not women are still playing catch up.in the equality stakes in employment and start ups. Maternity benefits for women are important. Women’s bodies go through quite a bit and also most women breast feed now. It’s not just about time with the baby it’s about physical recovery. This is a biological fact men don’t have to deal with. Women differ in the time it takes them to physically and mentally recover from a pregnancy. Secondly if men want more paternity leave then please feel free to lobby for same. Trashing women is actually not necessary in order to do this. That’s the mistake men make on here all the time. They take advances for women in employment as attacks on men. Which they are not. Also as a lovely little side bar many go on about extreme or ultra feminists attacking men whole all the time failing to recognise their own persistent attacks on women. Mens rights does not equal putting women down.

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:51 PM

    Do you see quotas as an advancement or tokenism?

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    Mute Seamus Banna
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    Jul 30th 2015, 12:55 PM

    “Also as a lovely little side bar many go on about extreme or ultra feminists attacking men whole all the time”

    Ha Ha I love that! This coming from the woman who came out guns blazing on a story about a security guard allegedly removing a child from it’s mother http://www.thejournal.ie/penneys-primark-breastfeeding-2215210-Jul2015/ and basically had him convicted even before an investigation took place. Now you are lecturing us on women attacking men!

    You might want to look at your own attitude before you start lecturing others first.

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    Mute catherine
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:07 PM

    Seamus sweety I don’t regard the actions of one man or women as representative of all men and all women. Do you ? See I can take issue with someone for their actions while at the same time not blaming his or her whole gender . You should try it sometime. Now I know you are just desperately trying to find something on me as a personal attack because you take my comments personally. That my friend is your issue and not mine . I have no issue with men in general. I have sons a partner a father brothers nephews uncles male friends and also lots of male colleagues I have worked it. I haven’t tried to tar and feather any of them yet . Then again they are not threatened by the women in their lives and are on the same page with regard to equality. Have a nice day Seamus , you probably deserve it . I don’t know you so can’t tell but wish it to you anyway

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    Mute catherine
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:19 PM

    Jimmy Jim that’s actually a good question . Honestly I don’t see quotas as an ideal solution but in the absence of a better solution it’s seems that’s what we are stuck with. There are still issues in employment in the country . When people start talking about things like unconscious bias I can hear the yawns from here but sadly it’s still a fact of like . So too is the woman’s need to reproduce and recover . There are still obstacles out there that are specific to women still . Quotas are or should be used to create a new norm in an area of employment. Just because something has been done a certain way for decades doesn’t mean it’s right for today’s labour market. The definition of tokenism is the question here. I have no issue with men fighting for what they feel is equality for them. I wouldn’t trash any men’s movement trying to achieve this. If there is a deficit in any area for any gender lets rectify it. I don’t see trashing one gender over another achieves anything in the long run. Equality is only a threat to inequality .

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:26 PM

    The problem I see with workplace quotas is that it could disadvantage those who can’t have kids, or just want to put their career first (something I don’t ever think I’ll understand). A faster, simpler and less formal employment appeals process may be fairer in the long term as I believe even with total freedom and flexibility there will always be a gender gap by industry.

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    Mute Seamus Banna
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    Jul 30th 2015, 1:58 PM

    It’s nothing personal Catherine It’s just that it’s hard to take someone seriously who made up her mind about a mans alleged actions based on hearsay and Facebook posts and because it involved a big bad man versus a poor little breast feeding woman. So when you write ” Mens rights does not equal putting women down.” you might just turn it around and think about it a little.

    By the way I am having a nice day so far , thanks for asking and I hope your say goes well too.

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    Mute Martin Byrne
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:33 PM

    Most women aren’t breastfeeding now – I think it’s around 10%. Where did you get that fact?

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    Mute PoliticallyOriented
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:18 AM

    Addressing gender imbalance by giving one side more funding because of their gender is the most daft attempt at a resolution of gender imbalance i have ever heard. The same as gender quotas it fails to tackle the larger issue.
    Gender Imbalance will not be resolved through gender imbalance, in truth at this rate it will actually make it an imbalance in favor of women against men.

    Address women not being employed because they have the chance of leaving on maternity leave and men will never have to? Try paid paternity leave.

    Gender Quotas to ‘encourage’ women to get involved in politics are demeaning to women, knowing that some women are getting picked because of their gender not their talent is disgusting and would probably turn a lot of women’s noses away from politics.

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    Mute Toddimus Maximus
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:26 PM

    Gender quotas in politics just ensure that 30% of running candidates are female. These women are only put forward to run. At the end of the day the people that run the best campaign and appeal most to the people will get the job, regardless of sex

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:21 PM

    They’re being put forward to run at the expense of someone else. They shouldnt get that because of their biology

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    Mute Alan White
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:26 PM

    Todd, so? The quota for running is still ridiculous.

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    Mute Toddimus Maximus
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:27 PM

    30-70 is a relatively fair balance is it not? Considering we live in a representative democracy and that 51% of the population are women. I think it’s insulting to suggest that these women are all there in the expense of better women candidates. That’s been the case with men for generations

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    Mute PoliticallyOriented
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:48 PM

    It doesn’t matter that 51% of the population are women. TDs aren’t represented based on sex. Next you’ll want % number of ethnic minorities, % quota for skin color % quota for transgender etc. It’s ridiculous needing quotas for people to run based on these things. If women aren’t selected and they feel its because of their gender they can run as an independent candidate.

    The candidate that runs is the candidate that the party selects, no one should be telling a political party the candidates they have to select a certain % of certain people and not those best qualified for the job.

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:58 PM

    A fair balance is whatever a fair election process produces. Is the gender ratio of rubbish collectors, merchant fishing crews or nurses “a fair balance?

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    Mute PoliticallyOriented
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    Jul 30th 2015, 7:04 PM

    There’s a huge gender imbalance in our military forces! Gender quotas at once or we cut all 35% of state funding!

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 8:28 PM

    As if gender is the main commonality people have, rather than profession, income, family status, etc. 1) Gender is irrelevant to 99% of issues politicians decide on. 2) By the logic that gender quotas are needed for women to be represented then wouldn’t the same apply to men, meaning everyone must vote for someone of their own gender to be represented. 3) A TD that can’t represent a constituents concerns without having first hand experience has no place in a position of power. 4) Can someone please explain how a woman that gladly voted for a male TD is not represented? Surely it’s those who don’t vote are not represented.

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    Mute Ciaran Byrne
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:44 PM

    Personally I think any funding based on gender, male or female is discriminatory. It should be a meritocracy. I did a Computer Science degree in DCU in 1996 about 10% of my class were women. They did the same leaving cert and had the same CAO choices. The lack of their interest in IT then is evident now as there are far fewer women in IT startups. Addressing this should happen at the roots with more encouragement for women to take up IT degrees, rather than throwing money at it 20 years later with “female only” funding, which could in argued is illegal. It’s unfair, especially when tax payer funds are at stake.

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    Mute PoliticallyOriented
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:24 PM

    You said it in a much better and clearer way than I did. This is so true.

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    Mute Giuseppe Valente
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:29 PM

    All I’ve got from this is if you want to start a business there’s a €25 million fund being setup to help you but only if you have a vagina because thats equality :/.

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    Mute Scarr
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:55 PM

    Cash pool which is awarded based on gender needed to end discrimination – its a funny old world

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    Mute PoliticallyOriented
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:50 PM

    Discrimination can end discrimination and fire can be put out by more fire am i right? We make sense here.

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    Mute Jeffrey McMahon
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    Jul 31st 2015, 10:51 PM

    I must admit the concept confuses me. Discrimination to end discrimination. I thought discrimination itself was the problem?

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    Mute Leo Powers
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:18 PM

    Bring in a penis tax to fund it sure.

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:27 PM

    Gudrun Schyman has already suggested this in the Swedish Parliament

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    Mute Drew TheChinaman :)
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:37 PM

    I was at a seed funding pitch for start ups by three women…

    One slapped herself on the back for attending an Ivy League (Brown) a half dozen times, claimed she founded a start up because was born to be an actress but alas couldn’t get cast as she was so much prettier she distracted the audience from the A-listers, tried to get a cheer from her fellow ‘millennials’ in the audience to support her business idea (having shaved 10 years off her clearly apparent age) and then launched into a 5 minute tirade bashing all the men in the business world that had held her back, and proclaiming how ‘sisters gotta support each other and women stand up and do things for themselves’

    All of this… Pitching her idea to your typical group of investment managers aka middle aged male bankers.

    This is the kind of thing that throwing money aimlessly after diversity leads too.

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 30th 2015, 7:01 PM

    Ha! Where the hell was that??

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    Mute Dave Davis
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    Jul 30th 2015, 8:07 PM

    Also, what was her business? I’m super curious mow. Was it a “the x of x” type pitch?

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    Mute Jimmy Jim-Jim
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    Jul 30th 2015, 8:31 PM
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    Mute Yvonne Smith
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    Jul 30th 2015, 9:31 PM

    So Le Tigre is really Dave Davis… Nice to be able to put a face to a troll!

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    Mute Le Tigre
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    Jul 31st 2015, 10:02 AM

    Wrong gender, sweetheart

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    Mute Yvonne Smith
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    Jul 31st 2015, 10:26 AM

    Oh Hun, you ain’t fooling anyone!

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    Mute Dave Davis
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    Jul 31st 2015, 12:09 PM

    Afraid not Yvonne. I take it you think that because our questions were similar?

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    Mute Dave Davis
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    Jul 31st 2015, 12:14 PM

    Ahhh, I see. Because I said “Also” following on from Le Tigre’s comments. Sorry Yvonne. I can see why you’d think that, but nope. Never had interactions with either of you on this site but if I had, you’d know that’s not my bag. Besides, and no offense Le Tigre, but I detest even the most minor of excessive punctuation. Two question marks? I’d cover my tracks a bit better than that.

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    Mute Ciarán Ó Murchú
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    Jul 30th 2015, 6:31 PM

    If you want to have a child that’s your business. I don’t see why my taxes should subsidise your lifestyle choices.
    The real discrimination here is against single people who have to foot the tax bill.

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    Mute Wilm J Delaney
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    Jul 30th 2015, 5:34 PM

    Womb gate…. What % of women in the dail have kids… If ye want to be a man… No prob, we ll l pay for that change also…

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    Mute Del Bear
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    Jul 31st 2015, 9:52 AM

    Ah so that’s who Le Tigre is! Seen him baiting people on so many other articles so always wondered who wastes their time doing it!

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    Mute Gearóid Russell
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    Jul 30th 2015, 11:15 AM

    Addressing gender imbalance by giving one side more funding because of their gender is the most daft attempt at a resolution of gender imbalance i have ever heard. The same as gender quotas it fails to tackle the larger issue.
    Gender Imbalance will not be resolved through gender imbalance, in truth at this rate it will actually make it an imbalance in favor of women against men.

    Address women not being employed because they have the chance of leaving on maternity leave and men will never have to? Try paid paternity leave.

    Gender Quotas to ‘encourage’ women to get involved in politics are demeaning to women, knowing that some women are getting picked because of their gender not their talent is disgusting and would probably turn a lot of women’s noses away from politics.

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