President of Fianna Fáil Women's Network Cllr. Niamh Smyth, Fianna Fáil National Youth & Equality Officer Christabelle Feeney, Secretary of Fianna Fáil Women's Network Aine McGinley.

Smyth elected president of fianna fil womens network

Cavan Councillor Niamh Smyth has been elected as President of the Fianna Fáil Women’s Network. The Network was established in March and is one of the initiatives being rolled out as part of the Markievicz Commission Report recommendations, which aims to increase female participation in Fianna Fáil.

Her high profile national appointment comes ahead of the party's selection convention for the constitutency of Cavan Monaghan and Cllr Smyth has already signalled her intention to seek a nomination to run in the next General Election.

Over the past number of weeks almost 2,000 female party members cast their votes for the position of President and Secretary.  Following the count last night, Cllr Smyth was elected president and Donegal PRO Aine McGinley was elected as secretary of the Fianna Fáil Women’s Network.


Speaking after her election Cllr Smyth commented: “I am honoured to have been chosen to be President of this very important body.  The Fianna Fáil Women’s Network will play a key role, not only in the months ahead, but in local and General Elections for years to come, as we aim to encourage and support more women to enter the political arena.  The publication of the Markievicz Report earlier this year was a major milestone for this party as it set out a roadmap to increase female participation in politics.

“The Fianna Fáil Women’s Network will provide a forum for the thousands of women who are active within this party within their communities and constituencies to come together as well as a support structure for those contesting elections over the next months and years.  It is a huge opportunity for our party to build on the strong female participation that we already enjoy and bring it to the next level and I look forward to working with the members on issues that affect all of us.”