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A UNITED NATIONS committee has highlighted the low representation of woman in the Dáil and at Cabinet as “priority issues” that must be addressed by the state.
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission stated that it welcomed the findings of the UN Committee, which is tasked with “the Elimination of Discrimination against Women”.
The Irish Commission had previously provided submissions to the UN Committee on the issue and communicated its concerns. Today, the Committee has recommended that the government amend the Electoral (Amendment) (Political Funding) Act 2012 to require 50% gender parity in the quota on political party candidate selection.
At present, political funding available to parties is dependent whether the party meets the gender quota for candidates. Payments are reduced by 50% unless at least 40% of the candidates whose candidatures were authenticated by the party at the preceding general election were women, and 40% were men.
The UN Committee recommended that the quota be bumped to 50% female candidature in order to address what the Committee described as “critically low” representation of women in Irish politics.
Last year in the general election, a record 246 women ran, according to Women for Election. Of the 174 seats, women secured 44 of them – making up 25% of the Dáil. A number of wards did not elect any women to represent it.
In this government, there are three female Cabinet ministers among the 15. Just six women hold positions as Ministers of State out of the 23 available.
The Committee advised that its application on gender parity be extended to the Seanad, the nomination of Cabinet ministers, and local governance bodies.
The Committee further recommended that the State take other measures to increase women’s participation in political life – such as combatting online abuse and threats of gender-based violence targeting women in political and public life.
The Committee has “deep concerns” about access to justice for women, particularly survivors of institutional abuse and those from structurally vulnerable groups, the Irish Commission reported, highlighting barriers to redress for survivors of abuse in Mother and Baby homes, the Magdalene Laundries, and other residential institutions.
The Irish State must respond within two years about the progress achieved in these areas. The Commission will continue to exercise its monitoring role to hold the State to account.
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Oh whoops. I thought all those cuts and removal of machines would speed up the service. What’s that you say? It’s effected voting? Because it has delayed ballots being delivered on time and therefore declared void? And this seems to have effected the democratic vote more? Oh dear. That certainly wasn’t intentional. But at least my friend Donald is president again. That’s good news.
@seanfean: This DeJoy fella is like if we sent Sean Gallagher in to head up the Post Office.
@RogersRabbit: This DeJoy fella is a cod.
@seanfean: I think you mean *affected (twice).
Isnt it funny how those delays tend to effect Democrat-supporting districts more than Republican-voting ones, must be just a coincidence I suppose?
@James Walsh: Trump appointed a ‘donor’ as postmaster general in June when postal votes were looking more likely in some States
Bet Don won’t be using the mail service to pay Stormy her 44k court expenses…….
It’s all BS. You can send kids to school, go to the local supermarket, gather for demonstrations in thousands, send covid infected people to nursing homes and have funerals with packed out church etc etc etc…. BUT YOU CANNOT VOTE IN PERSON.
The DemocRats altered state of reality is getting worse. Next they’ll want to rewrite history, oh wait….
@David OShea: sure Donny
@David OShea: well during a pandemic you might want a choice? Or are you a covid denier as well?
@DarkSithLord23: just put on a BLM t-shirt apparently the virus skips over ya
Problem solved!
@Al.Dunne: But there was no virus, it was all a democrat hoax. You dont need social distancing and why is everyone wearing masks????
@David OShea: 16% of the US population is I’ve 65. Over 20% of 18-64 year olds have underlying conditions that mean they are more susceptible to the more sever outcomes of covid-19. Now, that’s well over 50 million people that you are demanding risk their health to vote, voting which is a right and should not be burdensome. Add in the fact that many polling places have been removed from the list since the last election and you’re crying out for vulnerable people standing around in crowds for hours upon hours in the midst of a global pandemic.
@Dave O’Keeffe: Covid is mostly spread by the respitory system, all they have to do is wear a mask and implement social distancing in voting centres. Simple.
@The Upside-down Triangle: masks are risk reduction, not risk elimination. Social distancing in voting centres would have queues for miles for the entire day as well. Add to that the surfaces touched and the length of waiting time meaning people will need to have food and water and toilets available while queueing for hours (queueing for hours was already normal in many districts last time around) Also, telling people they can’t vote unless they’re wearing a mask may be unconstitutional. Not sure on that last part but it’s more likely than masks being unconstitutional in general.
@David OShea: back to voat like a good lad..
@David OShea: you argued against your position
@Dave O’Keeffe: postpone the elections like they did in NZ, problem solved. But no the Democrats would never have that, they rather risk the lives of people or have a contentious vote rather than just doing the right thing. The opposition in NZ actually came up with that idea, why dont the Democrats do the same?
@Giddy: the constitution doesn’t allow for postponement. Constitutionally the presidents term must end at midday on January 20th.
@Giddy: yet more evidence that you don’t have a clue
@Dave O’Keeffe: Postpone them till January then, the election doesn’t have to be in November, Its not that hard to the maths Dave, think rationally for once Dave
@Dave O’Keeffe: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-delay-powers-factbox-idUSKCN24V2V1 here you go Dave, it can be postponed, wrong again as usual Dave
He owns 70 million in shares in rival delivery services
@Colm Lawlor: He’s a Trump Stooge trying to influence the election. But some people think that’s ok.
Wink Wink
@Ger O’Reilly:
Nudge Nudge!!
BS.
The only good thing about the Orange Tub is the short shelf life, soon gone and swiftly forgotten by all.
The cheque is in the post
@Paul:
No Paul… He’ll most likely put it in her hand :-)
Just postpone the elections like they did in NZ, problem solved, everyone can vote in person or through absentee ballot like normal.
Haha could you imagine the Democrats actually caring more about people’s health over getting into power.
Big fat lies… don’t believe a word he’s saying !
have your say