The appointment of a man as a the CEO of a national organisation for the encouragement of women to enter politics has been branded locally as 'disturbing.'
Labour representative for Leitrim and well known activist Bernie Linnane made the comments following the appointment of Brian Sheehan as CEO of Women for Election.
The group helps train, mentor and support women across the country to enter politics, with the appointment of the new CEO drawing criticism online.
Bernie Linnane says that while the newly appointed CEO is a capable and talented person, the optics of the appointment send the complete wrong message.
Speaking to the Joe Finnegan Show today, she says that potential female candidates must be able to look to the top and see themselves:
''We're told forever if you see it you can be it, young female potential political candidates coming forward, what if they cant see it, what if they look at the top of this organisaiton and they see a man. Brian is a undoubtedly a very very capable and qualified candidate but I don't believe that there are no women who can do as good a job. In an organisation which is designed to empower we that we paint that picture that political is about perception we need to see and perceive women succeeding.
