By Gráinne Glynn
On January 23, 2025, Micheál Marin was re-elected as Taoiseach of Ireland, bringing in a new government with a new cabinet that has sparked widespread criticism. Despite promises of inclusivity and equality, Martin’s Cabinet has been criticized for its lack of female representation, drawing attention to broader issues of gender imbalance in Irish politics.
The new government, made of 15 senior ministers, includes only three women: Helen McEntee as Minister for Education, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill as Minister for Health, and Norma Foley, who had maintained her role as Minister for children, equality, disability, integration, and youth. This marks a step back from the previous administration, which had four female ministers. The backlash against this new Cabinet balance has highlighted the challenges in achieving gender equality in Irieland’s political landscape.
The Cabinet appointments have drawn criticism from opposition parties, advocacy groups, and members of the public. Jennifer Whitmore of the Social Democrats referred to the new Cabinet as a “cosy boys’ club,” condemning the lack of diversity and the government’s failure to encourage qualified women to leadership positions. Sinn Féin TD Mairéad Farrell echoed these concerns, criticising the secondary roles assigned to women and the imbalance of senior ministers in Dublin and Leinster, with limited representation from other regions.
Farrell stressed that the Cabinet does not reflect the communities it serves, particularly in rural and wider areas. This gender imbalance is particularly obvious given the progress made in recent years to promote gender equality in politics. The 2020 elections saw progress in female representation within the Dáil, and many had hoped that the 2025 elections would continue to build upon this. However, the reduction in female ministers is seen as a step back, undermining the progress that has been made.
The underrepresentation of women in the Cabinet mirrors a broader issue in the Irish government. Despite a record number of female candidates running in the 2025 elections, 246 women out of 688 candidates now make up only 25% of the government. This places Ireland at the bottom of Western Europe with a parliamentary gender balance. The implematation of gender quotas in Ireland in 2012, was a significant achievement aimed to increase female representation politics.
Under these quotas, political parties need to have at least 30% of their candidates as women or they are at risk of cuts to state funding. While the quotas have increased the number of female candidates, they have not been reflected in proportional representation in elected offices or leadership roles. The lack of female ministers in the new Cabinet highlights the limitations of these quotas in addressing the challenges women encounter in Irish politics.
Underrepresentation in senior political roles also risks sidelining critical issues that disproportionately affect women. Gender diversity in leadership has been shown to lead to more inclusive policies and this lack of representation could undermine efforts to address systemic problems such as the gender pay gap, childcare access, and domestic violence. Advocacy groups like the National Women’s Council of Ireland have callled for urgent action, warning that the underrepresentation of women reflects a broader culture of exclusion in Irish politics.
To address these issues, several advocacy groups have called for reform to the candidate selection process, including greater transparency and accountability within political parties to ensure women are not only running for office but are also considered for winnable constituencies and senior leadership roles.
Additionally, there is a push for policies that make political life more accessible to women, such as financial support for female candidates, support to orientate new candidates and for unsuccessful women candidates in the aftermath of the elections, including outgoing TDs, and mandatory parental leave policies for politicians. These measures aim to dismantle barriers discouraging women from entering politics or advancing their careers.
Reforming the appointment process has also emerged as a critical issue. Critics argue that the current system prioritises party loyalty and internal alliances over diversity and experience. A more structured and transparent approach could ensure that women with the necessary qualifications and experience are not overlooked for senior government positions.
The announcement of Micheál Martin’s new Cabinet has exposed deep-rooted issues of gender inequality in Irish politics, sparking widespread criticism and calls for reform. While the government defends its appointments as merit-based, the underrepresentation of women highlights the limitation of current measures to promote gender equality.
As Ireland looks to move forward, the structural and cultural barriers within its political system must be addressed. Ireland has the opportunity to make significant developments toward gender parity and inclusivity, ensuring its leadership reflects the diversity of its people. For now, however, the composition of the new Cabinet serves as a clear reminder of how far the country still has to go.