NOT enough women are running for seats in Limerick in this month’s local elections, according to new figures.
Women make up just 16 per cent of candidates in Limerick which is far below the national average of 22 per cent and the 30 per cent quota that will apply for the next general election.
The Limerick wards with the highest proportion of women candidates running are Adare/Rathkeale with three female hopefuls and City East with five. Only three women have put their names on the ticket to run for election in City West, one in City North, one in Cappamore/Kilmallock and none in Newcastle West.
Commenting on the figures Michelle O’Donnell Keating, co-founder of Women for Election said, “I am delighted to see that more women are running for political office in Limerick than in 2009. However, with no women candidates on the ticket in Newcastle West, this is one of country’s electoral blackspots in terms of female representation.”
