Madam, - I was surprised - for two particular reasons - to read the report in your edition of January 29th headed "Ireland's all-male delegation gets short shrift from European partners".
Firstly, I find the idea that the Council of Europe should see fit to impose some sort of gender quota system on member-states to be patronising in the extreme. The idea that a delegation must contain a certain number of either gender is ridiculous and may thwart the goal of having the best delegates present in the first place. Can we please have a meritocracy in relation to public and private appointments? The idea of any type of "affirmative action" should be designated to the dustbin of the last millennium.
Secondly, the remarks of Fine Gael's Jim O' Keeffe, TD, when attempting to explain the dearth of women involved in Irish politics, were offensive and archaic. He said: "The notion of going off on your own to these meetings for a woman would be quite unattractive." Fantastic. It seems we have a public representative who thinks that women are incapable or unwilling to undertake independent travel.
I suggest to Mr O' Keeffe that for his next political project he takes a wander round the air and sea ports of Ireland and sees how many women are doing just that. He may also be pleasantly surprised, as a by-product of this adventure, to find out that we are now in the 21st century. - Is mise,
AISLING KELLY, Arusha, Tanzania.
Madam, - I read with interest Mr Jim O'Keeffe's comments regarding the all-male Irish delegation to the Council of Europe. As a frequent business traveller to Eastern Europe for the past four years, I understand that some aspects of business travel can be unattractive for both men and women. However, as a strong believer in the important contribution women can and should make to public affairs, I find the notion of Mr O'Keeffe and seven other men going off to these meetings purporting to represent Irish men and women far more unattractive.
Mr O'Keeffe and the other delegate members were told last September of the requirement for female participation, and were reminded in November. How much warning does he need to avoid - by his own admission - being "caught on the hop"? - Yours etc.,
WENDY HEDERMAN, Ranelagh, Dublin 6.