Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There are 115, which is almost 30%. We are not quite there yet but we are close to it and we are way ahead of any other political party. Senators will be glad to know that the Fine Gael Party, of which I am a Member, has more women running than ever before for European Parliament elections, with Mairead McGuinness, Maria Walsh, Deirdre Clune and Frances Fitzgerald, four strong, capable, qualified women. I do not agree with the Senator regarding the women in Fine Gael who are Ministers. A considerable number of women are both Ministers and Ministers of State and play a very strong role.