SEVEN out of 10 voters believe their local authority would make better decisions if it had more female councillors, a new opinion poll reveals.
The survey illustrates a strong desire among the electorate for greater female representation in local politics.
Some 69pc of those surveyed believe their local authority would deliver better outcomes for communities if more seats were occupied by women.
The poll, commissioned on behalf of 'Women For Election', also shows that the majority of voters (58pc) would opt for a female candidate over a male if both were of equal merit. And it reveals that the electorate overestimates the number of women that occupy council seats.
Just 17pc of council seats across Ireland are filled by women. Female representation has proven an issue for a number of political parties ahead of this week's elections, particularly Fianna Fail.
We invite our users to read the full article published May 19 2014
SEVEN out of 10 voters believe their local authority would make better decisions if it had more female councillors, a new opinion poll reveals.
The survey illustrates a strong desire among the electorate for greater female representation in local politics.
Some 69pc of those surveyed believe their local authority would deliver better outcomes for communities if more seats were occupied by women.
The poll, commissioned on behalf of 'Women For Election', also shows that the majority of voters (58pc) would opt for a female candidate over a male if both were of equal merit. And it reveals that the electorate overestimates the number of women that occupy council seats.
Just 17pc of council seats across Ireland are filled by women. Female representation has proven an issue for a number of political parties ahead of this week's elections, particularly Fianna Fail.
We invite our users to read the full article published May 19 2014