State-funded NGOs should not be above scrutiny

Sir, – Justine McCarthy (“Politicians demonising NGOs is fodder for extremists”, Opinion & Analysis, April 5th) takes issue with anyone who questions the role of NGOs, and in particular the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI).

The fact remains that the NWCI actively campaigned for two Yes votes in the recent referendums that included the permanent deletion of the word “mother” from our Constitution.

The two amendments were rejected outright by the women of Ireland by a record-breaking three to one majority.

The question, therefore, arises as to who the NWCI represents. Certainly not the views of the majority of women in Ireland. – Yours, etc,