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More than two-thirds of female senators in the Seanad have been sexually harassed, the can reveal.
An anonymous poll conducted by this newspaper, a week after a similar poll of TD women, received responses from 17 of 19 female senators.
Of those 17, some 13 senators have been sexually harassed at some point in their lives, 14 have been subjected to an insult or sexist comment from a man while working in politics, and 16 have been abused or ‘trolled’ with sexist insults on social media social.
The stark figures are worse in the Seanad than in the Dáil, which found that 12 of the 25 respondents had been sexually harassed.
An elected representative, who has worked at Leinster House for several years, said the numbers “are the tip of the iceberg.”
“I used to get text messages on my outfit, or saying I was lovely, or ‘It was great to see you, nicer to see you go,'” she said.
“Here I am, very young, at my dream job in Dáil Éireann having to deal with lewd men, and you think ‘Is this all I am?’, Afraid of getting into elevators with people.
“It took me a lot of maturity to get over it. I felt like I lost my voice working at the Dáil. I still worry about the clothes I wear.
“When there are too many men, with perceived power, in a bubble like Leinster House, they think they can act however they want. There is a culture of blindness and sheep mentality.
“It is a big problem in all workplaces, maybe it is more pronounced in the Oireachtas, but I think there is a lot to do and it will only change when there are more women involved at all levels.
Cathaoirleach by Seanad Éireann Mark Daly said he will raise these figures at the next meeting of the Oireachtas House Commission.
“These figures are unacceptable in any part of Irish society,” he said.
“They show how far we have to travel a journey to have an egalitarian society based on openness and respect.
“To ensure that Dáil and Seanad is a workplace based on these principles, the Oireachtas House Commission published its Statement of Principles and Policy of Dignity and Respect last year.
“The The results of the poll are a reminder that we must ensure that everyone in this House and in politics more generally lives the principles outlined in our Declaration of Dignity and Respect; otherwise, we will be failing women in politics and people in general.
“As a member now of the Commission of the Chambers of Oireachtas, I intend to raise the ongoing implementation of the Declaration of Principles and Policy of Dignity and Respect at the next committee meeting. It is important to ensure that all deputies, senators and the staff is aware of this framework that fosters a culture of openness and respect. “
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