Former Fine Gael strategist Frank Flannery says gender quotas have made it 'difficult' for young and ambitious men in politics.
Speaking at MacGill Summer School, Mr Flannery said that while the quota system is 'absolutely right' - he believes some parties are now picking female candidates instead of male.
He said that the quotas of 30 or 40 per cent are the only way to get a breakthrough of encouraging women to stand for the Dáil.
However, Frank Flannery says it's making life 'hard' for young men in politics and they feel aggrieved.
