Ootgoing Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty said if she had a euro every time she was called the “C word” she wouldn’t have to retire.
The former Employment Affairs Minister opened up about the litany of abuse she has received over the course of her career.
Ms Doherty was joined by a number of female TDs who had also lost their seats in the latest General Election, all of whom opened up about the personal attacks which they have received online.
She said: “I think we get more grief, I think we get more stick. You definitely get more abuse.
“Now the lads get loads of abuse too but I think our abuse is very personal.
“If I had a euro for every time I’ve been called the ‘C word’ in the last month I wouldn’t need to retire.
“I don’t [know] what the world is coming to.”
Fianna Fail’s Lisa Chambers described the online abuse which she received as intense. She added: “All politicians get abuse but I do think there is a different level for female politicians.
"It’s a lot more personalised, it’s a lot more based on the tone of your voice, the colour of your hair, how you’re dressed.
“I’m pregnant currently so that was coming up a little bit as well, ‘Oh, she’s taking maternity leave, no point in electing her’, so there is an extra level.”
