evidence: Despite the population being more or less evenly split between males and females, only 22.5% of TDs are women, who represent one-quarter of appointments to cabinet and junior ministries. The introduction of gender quotas in 2016 saw a doubling of female candidacy to 31% in the 2020 general election, compared with 2011. Despite this, 36 female TDs were elected in the February general election, an increase of just one since 2016. [...] Indeed, research in Irish and international contexts shows that women tend to receive portfolios related to traditional feminine roles as care-givers and mothers such as children, education, social welfare, justice, equality and the arts. Last week’s female cabinet and junior ministerial appointments were to portfolios in justice, education, the arts, social protection and health. [...] Over 100 years since Irish women first got the right to vote and could stand for election, just 22 women have held senior ministerial office in Ireland prior to last week's appointments. They could all fit in a minibus. Forget senior hurling, it’s time for senior camogie!