More female representation needed at local level

“I know that those who aren’t in favour of it think it’s too crude a mechanism but at this point in time I think it’s the only thing that is going to make a significant difference. And the experience that you gain as a councillor is the best launch pad for women into national politics,” she said.

“I originally wouldn’t have been someone who was in favour of gender quotas but things have moved too slowly, and it’s a positive way to get more women involved,” she added.

“I used to think that if you are good enough you will make it, but the system is very much stacked in favour of men,” she said.

Cllr Desmond maintains that a significant obstacle for women considering entry into the political arena is confidence, as many women may not have the self-assurance to step forward.

“Recently at a conference, I asked who would be interested in getting involved in politics at any level and I think one woman put her hand up. Confidence is a big barrier that is there,” she said.

“In Fianna Fáil we are actively looking for women to put themselves forward but what you often hear is ‘I don’t know if I’d be elected’ or ‘I don’t know if I could.’ Very few men will have that difficulty if they think it is something they’d like to do,” she added.