Sir, – John FitzGerald is not quite right that UK civil service was ahead of its Irish counterpart by abolishing “the Taliban-like marriage bar” in 1946 (Business, Opinion, September 23rd). The British foreign office enforced it until 1973 when it was dropped to comply with the obligations of EEC membership. – Yours, etc,
Dr JOHN DOHERTY,
Cnoc an Stollaire,
Gaoth Dobhair,
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Co Dhún na nGall.
Sir, – One exception to the “marriage ban” on women in the public service, discussed by John FitzGerald, was the incipient symphony orchestra, whose members were civil servants.
In 1932, it was stated that the minister for finance “feels that the appointment of married women is not desirable” but had to concede not only that it might be necessary to appoint married women to the orchestra but also that they should not be required to resign upon marriage. Nevertheless, the resignation rule remained in force, and in each case on marriage the requirement was waived.
Even as late as 1962, when Audrey Park (then a member of the RTÉ Light Orchestra) married Archie Collins, she received the automatic mandatory notice of dismissal (which was of course suspended). She went on to become one of the most effective leaders of the RTÉ Symphony Orchestra. – Yours, etc,
RICHARD PINE,
Perithia,
Corfu,
Greece.