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Representing Women -- images, discourses and realities in Irish political life

Why does Ireland have one of the lowest rates of female representation in national politics in Europe? And what can we do to resolve this problem with Irish democracy?

These questions were addressed at DCU's Representing Women project one- day seminar in the Helix on Thursday 15th September. The seminar entitled Representing Women: Images, Discourses and Realities in Irish Political Life attracted a high level of interest with attendees from lobby groups and grassroots organisations as well as from political parties and academic life.

Discussion mainly revolved around the topics of the panels held by the project's three research centres: the Media Representation of women TDs, the Language of Political Debate and the nature of the Contributions women make to Political Debate. In addition, there were also stimulating discussions on the more general topics of women's involvement in politics and measures to increase the representation of women in the Dáil.

The seminar was opened by DCU President Prof. Brían MacCraith who welcomed the interdisciplinary research being undertaken by the Centre for Society, Information and Media (SIM), the Centre for International Studies (CIS) and the Centre for Translation and Textual Studies (CTTS). Panellists included the PhD students in the research centres involved in the project as well as a range of high-profile figures from the fields of politics, media and academia.

These were: Mary O'Rourke (former TD), Alison O'Connor, (journalist), Susan McKay (National Women's Council), Basia Pieta (SIM), Olwyn Enright (former TD), Dr. Sylvia Shaw (Middlesex University), Grainne Toomey (CTTS), Prof. Yvonne Galligan (QUB), Mary Bannotti (former MEP), Stephen Donnelly (Independent TD), Dr. Eileen Connolly (CIS) and Kathleen Funchion (Sinn Féin Councillor).