Politicians in Ireland have been “male, pale and stale” for too long, according to Katherine Zappone.

The children’s minister said the lack of diversity in politics was concerning. “As the only independent woman sitting at the cabinet table, and as a migrant, I am keenly aware that Irish politics does not reflect the communities which it is supposed to serve,” she said.

“For too long political voices have been largely male, pale and stale, drawn from two establishment parties. This is true not only of national politics but also at the grassroots, with just 0.3 per cent of our locally elected leaders from a migrant background.”

Irish or British citizenship is required to stand or vote in general elections, but all residents in Ireland, regardless