The boys are holding on to the bulk of the jobs.
The group Women for Election are not happy with the number of women in the new Irish government, both as senior and junior ministers.
The group took issue with the appointment of just three women in the senior 15-member cabinet.
That's one down on the last government.
It said in a statement: "In a shocking and disappointing development, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael in the formation of the new Government have reduced the number of women in Cabinet from the outgoing Government.
"Just three women have been appointed as Ministers to the 15-member Government. There were four women ministers in the outgoing Government. Two women from Fine Gael have been appointed, the same as the outgoing Government, one from Fianna Fáil, a reduction of one."
Said Aldagh McDonogh, Chair of Women for Election: “The Taoiseach in forming the new government had the opportunity to bring a record number of women into Government, but in an affront to gender equality in politics, has chosen instead to reduce the number of women Ministers compared to the last Government.
“It is perplexing that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste would reject the opportunity in forming the Cabinet to ensure that women’s expertise and lived experience are equally represented at the heart of government decision-making”.
“This decline in women’s representation is concerning. Women’s perspectives are critical to shaping policies that reflect the realities of our society and economy, and their exclusion diminishes the strength of this Cabinet.
“We of course congratulate the three women who are joining the cabinet, one of whom is joining the Cabinet for the first time and wish them well as they lead out Government policy in their respective areas."
The group noted that just 22 women have ever served in Cabinet since the foundation of the State, while 213 men have served in the same period. It took 60 years from the appointment of the first women to Cabinet, Constance Markievicz in 1919, to the second, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn in 1979. There has never been a women Taoiseach, Minister for Finance, or Minister for Foreign Affairs.
“How long will Ireland have to wait for women to have an equal say in the governing of Ireland? When will we resolve our ‘unfinished democracy'?" said McDonogh.
There was no consolation for the group with the announcement of the junior ministers of state.
Again, Women for Election: "Yet again, the new Government have failed to address gender balance at Governmental decision-making tables. The total of women in ministerial positions reduced to 9 women - 24%. The outgoing Government had 10 women - 29%."
Said Aldagh McDonogh,“It is very disappointing again to see that the Taoiseach and Tánaiste have not prioritised a gender balance among the Ministers of State appointed this afternoon. With just 6 women out of the 23 Ministers of State, there is a reduction in percentage terms from the last Government."
The group's statement continued: “The new Government have failed their second test on gender equality by having no increase in the number of women appointed as Ministers of State. The Government took these decisions despite the widespread negative reaction to and concern about the reduction of women Ministers in Cabinet announced last week.
“Following on from the reduction in the number of women Ministers to three in the 15-member Cabinet appointed last week and no change in the number of women Ministers for State announced today there are serious questions to ask of this new Government about the rationale of continuing to exclude women’s voices, expertise and lived experience from Government decision-making levels.
"The Government, despite the increase in Minister of State roles to 23, has appointed the same number of women as in the outgoing Government – 6 women Ministers of State. Compared to the outgoing Government, Fianna Fáil have increased from two to three Ministers of State; Fine Gael have reduced from three to two women. The Regional Independents Group have appointed one women. In percentage terms, women have been reduced to 26% Ministers of State in the new Government compared to 30% in the outgoing Government.
“The Taoiseach and Tánaiste had plenty of suitably qualified women TDs with expertise across a wide range of areas from which to choose their Ministers of State. As the last Government did, they could also have appointed Ministers of State from the Seanad by delaying a few days until the Seanad election is complete.”
Concluded McDonagh: “It is vital for the health of our society, our economy and our democracy that women’s voices, expertise and lived experience are included at the tables where decisions are made that effect every person in Ireland. As women, we shouldn’t have to keep asking for a place at the table. We expect better from our political leaders."
