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Have you considered getting involved in politics?

About the Campaign

Fine Gael has launched an awareness campaign aimed at fostering greater diversity and inclusion in our party and in Irish politics. The campaign will contribute to empowering all people to see a role for themselves in politics. It responds to our broader policy efforts to strengthen our commitment to gender-balanced and more diverse politics.

Fine Gael is committed to fostering greater diversity and inclusion in our party and in Irish politics. Our goal is to enable politics to become culturally rich and vibrant and in tune with the diversity of our society.

By portraying the commitment of our leaders and role models from across our organisation, the campaign aims to:

  • Spotlight the different ways we can all participate in politics
  • Encourage women from all walks of life and experiences, migrants, people with disabilities, and others, to get involved by showing them that there is support and that they can succeed in these roles
  • Highlight the power and achievements of different people across our organisation with a focus on possibilities and opportunities rather than impediments.

Fine Gael stands up for women and diversity

Establishing Gender Quotas in Politics

In 2012 we introduced 30% gender quotas for political parties running candidates. In 2023 this has increased to 40%. Since the establishment of the quota, we have seen increases in women’s representation from 16% in 2011 to 22.5% in 2020.

Funding more diverse representation

Since the last election we’ve provided over €1.5m to help increase the number of women and persons from minorities in politics.

Improving Work/Life Balance

We’ve introduced paid paternity benefit, parent’s benefit and the National Childcare Scheme and extended parent’s leave so that parents can better balance work with family and caring commitments.

Prioritising Women’s Health

Through Ireland’s first National Maternity Strategy and Women’s Health Action Plan, we’re striving to provide better, patient-centred care at every life stage.

Promoting Women in Business and Education

We’re implementing policies to help women in business with funding, mentoring and other supports and we’re increasing the number of women apprentices through the new bursary fund.

Securing Progressive Social Change

We’ve led the way on referenda and positive social change, including ensuring a woman’s right to choose by repealing the 8th Amendment, securing marriage equality, safeguarding children’s rights, and reforming divorce.

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Is Politics for You?

  • Are you interested in becoming active in politics?
  • Do you want to help shape policy and help drive positive change?
  • Can you bring your experiences and ideas to the table?
  • Are you passionate about about one or more of the following: gender equality; eliminating discrimination; health; jobs; supporting business; childcare; transport; education; eliminating domestic, sexual, and gender-based violence; improving care supports; climate change; housing; farming and agriculture; rural Ireland; European issues; disability and inclusion; measures in the yearly national Budget?
  • Do you want to make a positive impact on your community?
Minister Helen McEntee TD

Why did they get involved?

“Politics offers the chance to represent your community and make a positive difference. As Vice President of the European Parliament’s LGBTI Intergroup, I advocate for inclusion and human rights. I have also just concluded negotiations on new EU pay transparency rules – ending corporate secrecy that enables the gender pay gap.”

Maria Walsh MEP, Midlands-North West

“I chaired the launch of the ‘Yes Equality’ Limerick Campaign for Marriage Equality and I was active during the Repeal the 8th Referendum. Get involved in what you care about in your local community. Politics starts with work on the ground and can be extremely rewarding.”

Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, Limerick City North

“I got involved in politics through my involvement in local community committees. I love being involved at the heart of the community. I saw my transition into local politics and then into the Dáil afterwards as a way of extending my ability to help those community groups in my area.”

Minister Martin Heydon TD, Kildare South

“Securing equality and rights for women has been my lifelong goal. In the 1980s, I became involved in and served as Chairperson of the National Women’s Council of Ireland. Today as an MEP, I’m leading negotiations on the first ever EU law on preventing violence against women. Women are change-makers.”

Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Dublin

“Fine Gael is a value led party whose actions match its values. Fine Gael is a compassionate party that always offer a helping hand to those that need it, giving them hope, as it also offers equal opportunity for everybody to engage in democracy, ensuring that there are no barriers to opportunities.”

Cllr Yemi Adenuga, Navan

“I wanted to change things in my community, the country, and the world. To anyone interested in getting involved, I’d say do it. Fine Gael wants to see more women, young people, people from diverse backgrounds, migrants, getting involved in our party because we want our party to reflect modern Ireland.”

An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD, Dublin West

Our Networks

Fine Gael Women’s Network

Supriya Singh, Deirdre Sexton, Patricia Mc Cracken, Leila Shadaddi, Grace Boland, Monica Murphy, Lucy Mc Cormack, Members of FGWN

Fine Gael LGBTQ+ Network

Members of LGBTQ+ network and Friends take part in Dublin Pride

Fine Gael Intercultural Network

Cllr. Baby Pereppadan, Senator Mary Seery Kearney, Cllr. Yemi Adenuga

Watch

Minister Martin Heydon TD, Kildare South
Maria Walsh MEP, Midlands-North West
Frances Fitzgerald MEP, Dublin
Cllr Yemi Adenuga, Navan
Cllr Olivia O’Sullivan, Limerick City North

Support Structures

Recognising that members are the cornerstone of the party and the value that diversity brings to achieving our shared aims, our framework for Inclusion, Equality and Integrity acknowledges that we want all members to thrive in an environment where everyone is welcomed and supported to achieve their full potential.

We all have a role to play in making this commitment a reality. Quite simply put the framework states that no matter who we are or where we are in the party — from local branches to the parliamentary party — we can all reasonably expect to be treated with respect. It says that in line with equality legislation, we reject all prejudice based upon age, disability, gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, class, or religion.

Where breaches of the framework occur, members are supported to resolve these using the party’s support structures and processes.

Codes of conduct

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Inclusion

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Grievances

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