After hitting out at RTÉ and Fáilte Ireland for their support of this week's Nissan Irish Open at Portmarnock Golf Club, the National Women's Council of Ireland has turned its ire against the event's main private sponsor.
In a statement to coincide with the start of the event today, council chairwoman Ms Mary Kelly said: "Women and men are rightly conscious of the power they exert as consumers.
"It is therefore incredible that Nissan, the main private sponsor of this event, would risk a possible consumer backlash in light of the extensive media coverage which the Portmarnock ban on women members is receiving."
A spokeswoman for Nissan said no one from the company was available for comment on the statement last night. Meanwhile, Ms Kelly reiterated the council's opposition to the use of €720,000 in public funds to support the event.
Calling for the "gender-proofing" of all future State expenditure, she said the investment by Fáilte Ireland "undermines the provision of State support for projects and research to examine and increase the low representation of women in public life, which have been very important in progressing women's equality.
"Stated Government policy is to promote gender equality. It is therefore logical and appropriate that gender proofing of all public spending should occur," said Ms Kelly.
The council welcomed the fact that RTÉ had declined opportunities to get involved in marketing and sponsorship of the event because of the membership policy of its host venue, Portmarnock Golf Club.
Ms Kelly added: "It is deeply regrettable that one of two golf clubs in Ireland which continues to maintain an elitist and sexist policy of not accepting women as full members, should be the chosen location to host such a prestigious event as the Irish Open."
Royal Dublin Golf Club, on Bull Island, is the other club in the Republic with such a men-only membership policy.
Ms Kelly also welcomed yesterday's setting of a date in the District Court case being taken by the Equality Authority against Portmarnock. "It is fortunate that we now have legislation, such as the Equal Status Act, and an equality infrastructure which is empowered to issue proceedings to test cases under the Act," she said.
