The Labour Party has published legislation that would penalise political parties if they do not have women as a certain proportion of their candidates or TDs.
The Labour Party Electoral (Gender Parity) Bill would see State funding to a party cut by half if they do not have women as at least 20% of their election candidates or TDs.
This proportion would rise to 33% after seven years and to 40% after a further seven years.
Party leader Eamon Gilmore said voters would always support their preferred political party, but the Bill was designed to ensure they were offered a choice of women candidates as often as possible.
