Senator Alice-Mary Higgins outlines plans for Vótáil100 Commemorations

Senator Alice-Mary Higgins launching Votail100 with other members of the Oireachtas
Senator Alice-Mary Higgins launching Votail100 with other members of the Oireachtas

Yesterday, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins joined other Oireachtas members to announce Oireachtas plans to commemorate the one hundredth anniversary of Irish women being granted the right to vote and run in parliamentary elections. 

Speaking yesterday, Senator Alice-Mary Higgins, a member of the Vótáil 100 Committee responsible for organising the commemoration events said  “Irish women were finally allowed to vote in the 1918 general election after winning that right on 21st November 99 years ago, with the passing of the Representation of the People Act 1918. It is fitting that today we announce our intentions to celebrate and commemorate this event over the course of next year. 2018 is also the anniversary of the election of Ireland's first female Member of Parliament - Countess Markievicz.  The Vótáil 100 Committee will announce a full programme of events in the New Year and we look forward to celebrating the participation of women in Irish political life.”

“The Seanad chamber will play host to a Transition Year debating contest, with successful applicants from across the country having the opportunity to speak in the Seanad chamber. The programme of events we will announce in the New Year will highlight the impact of wider voting rights, the history of the suffrage movement and its leaders in Ireland and of the representation of women in parliament.”
“I hope that our Vótáil100 Programme will encourage and inspire more women to become politically involved, and will remind us all about the importance of the right to vote.”
For more information, visit the webpage: www.oireachtas.ie/votail100

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