A Fianna Fáil TD has admitted the application of a gender quota system to constituencies "can be cruel".

Michael McGrath made the comments after a councillor in his party claimed he cannot stand in the general election because he is a man.

Daithí de Róiste is a sitting councillor in the Dublin South-Central constituency, and was nominated to contest the general election for his party.

But he has since been told he will not be allowed to run.

He says both he and Catherine Ardagh were nominated - and that a letter came from Fianna Fáil headquarters saying that the person the convention picks must be a woman.

"It does leave a very, very sour taste in the mouth and it is a bitter pill to swallow," he told the Pat Kenny Show here on Newstalk.

"People should vote for who they want to vote for, and they shouldn't have somebody forced upon them".

It comes as former Taoiseach and Finna Fáil leader Berite Ahern has said he thinks gender quotas in the party are "mad".

"I'd have to agree with the former Taoiseach's comments", Mr de Róiste says.

"I'm working very, very hard on the ground - I took a seat for Fianna Fáil in an area where we haven't had one since 1999".

"I'm the victim of circumstance - and there's also been an awful lot of additions around they country where they've added males on the tickets, where they've two makes running".

On what his next step is, Mr de Róiste said: "I don't know, that's the truth - this letter came through yesterday so I need to assess it".

But speaking to Newstalk Lunchtime, Fianna Fáil finance spokesperson, Michael McGrath, says the party has to meet the 30% gender requirement in the general election.