O'Rourke to address FF female candidate conference for International Women's Day

Fianna Fáil’s female local election candidates will mark International Women’s Day this weekend with an event in Athlone.

Candidates from across the country will meet in the Midlands to discuss election strategy and get advice and campaigning tips from long-serving former Minister Mary O’Rourke, while also getting advice on media presentation from the editor of the Cork Independent, Deirdre O'Shaughnessy.

The private event will take place in Athlone's Sheraton Hotel this Saturday evening. 

Speaking ahead of the event, party leader Micheál Martin commented: 'With her wealth of political experience, Mary O’Rourke is uniquely placed to mentor and support new candidates through the election process.

'Our aim is to encourage more women who are active in their communities to get involved in representative politics and proper support and training are going to be an important part of that effort.”

Former Minister O'Rourke commented: 'As part of the party’s gender equality action plan, more women are being encouraged to join Fianna Fáil to renew and reinvigorate the organisation. I am very pleased to be helping that process.

'Local authorities can have a greater say in how communities are run, following the introduction of the property tax and the roll out of water charges this year. Fianna Fáil needs to be at the heart of the local government decision making process and we need more women in the front line of the party.'

The seminar will also hear from award winning business woman and journalist Deirdre O’Shaughnessy.

As editor of the Cork Independent, Deirdre is well-placed to advise candidates on how best to get their message across, and will be involved in a discussion on ‘Effective Communication through the Media’.