A male member of Fianna Fáil has launched legal action against gender quotas for elections, claiming they're unconstitutional.

Brian Mohan, Local Area Representative for Dublin Central has lodged papers in the High Court against the State and the Attorney General.

New rules for political parties on the gender balance of their candidates come into force before the next election.

The legislation requires 30 per cent of each party's candidates to be female - with a heavy financial punishment if they fail to reach the target.

It's this rule that Fianna Fáil activist Brian Mohan says is unconstitutional.

He says he lost the chance to run for selection as a candidate after his party directed that a woman be chosen.

Mr Mohan had hoped to secure a party nomination, but members were advised to choose a female candidate ahead of a selection convention in October, with former councillor Mary Fitzpatrick getting the nod.

Mr Mohan is challenging the constitutionality of Section 42 of the Electoral Act 2012 - with legal representation from the Former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell.