Madam, – I have long admired some of Susan McKay’s writing. However, the language of her article “Normal Cabinet service resumes with jobs for the boys . . . again” (Opinion, March 11th) does a disservice to her argument, the organisation she represents and the cause of women in general. Specifically, I refer to her phrases “safe pair of balls” and “brass balls”. This is the second high-profile journalist I have heard recently using such terms.
Is their command of language so limited that they must stoop to crudity and vulgarity when referring to men’s ability or lack of it? Were a male journalist to use a vulgarity referring to woman’s genitalia when commenting on her ability or lack thereof, I need not ask what the response (quite rightly) of women would be.
Heaven help us if this is judged to be part of what it takes to advance women’s rights and their Dáil representation. – Yours, etc,
NOEL HOWARD,
Kilworth,
Co Cork.
A chara, – The crude, hysterical,irrational tirade of Susan McKay (Opinion, March 11th) should not go unchallenged. She seems to totally ignore the requirements of experience and expertise as prerequisites for ministerial competence, is clueless about such issues as balance and compatibility in Cabinet selection, and is blindly driven by an “any woman will do” agenda.
I’d be surprised if the tone of this unbalanced outburst of Ms McKay represents the majority view of the National Women’s Council. If it does not, we would like to hear from them so as to restore the reputation of that august body. – Is mise,
BRENDAN KEARNEY,
Meadow Close,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
A chara, – For the past 21 years Ireland’s head of State has been a woman, and within the past 15 years a political party maintained a 50-50 gender balance in the Dáil over two terms, while in government and had a female tánaiste. Those individuals may not be to Susan McKay’s political taste, but to deliberately omit those facts in a discourse on gender balance in Irish politics is dishonest at best. (“Normal Cabinet service resumes with jobs for the boys . . . again” March 11th).
She makes some important points. But with constant and tiresomely repeated references to male genitalia, I have to question what this piece contributes to the debate – other than to entrench people in their views and alienate those who may have been swayed. If the argument were reversed, I cannot imagine too many women would stand for such bile and explicit scoffing at their gender-specific anatomy, and quite rightly so.
For a gender-balanced population, women are overwhelmingly under-represented in our democratic system in Ireland and the wider world. There are big questions to be asked as to why this is the case and and how it can be addressed. This diatribe contributes nothing to the debate and does a massive disservice to the cause of gender equality, in my humble opinion. I, for one, was astonished to see it published in your newspaper. – Is mise,
TADHG O’BRIEN,
Woodstock Road,
Finsbury Park,
London,
England.
Madam, – In the recent election the Labour Party almost doubled its Dáil seats. It was its best performance ever. During the run-up to the election, I encountered many older men and women who were voting Labour for the first time in their lives. They kept mentioning Joan Burton who they said had impressed them greatly by being the only politician to warn of the disastrous consequences of the bank bail-out.
Nobody can deny that, as spokesperson on finance, she played a major factor in raising the Labour party’s profile. I think that she contributed greatly to the feelgood factor that surrounded Labour.
What a pity the Labour Party leader did not see fit to reward her for her hard work and commitment. What message is he sending to the young women thinking of entering politics? I thought that this new coalition would bring change and progress and would like to be seen to treat all people fairly. I wonder if those first-time Labour voters feel as disillusioned and demoralised as I do. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – As a young female Labour Party voter, I wish to convey my anger towards Eamon Gilmore. Joan Burton is an inspiring working woman who has not been afraid to stand up and oppose powerful forces. The recent Vanity Fairarticle on Ireland described Ms Burton as a politician with "rare credibility" who is "straight, bright and basically good news". It said she was the "shrill mother who no one listened to" when she warned the nation of the dangers of the bank guarantee. Has she not earned a senior role in the Department of Finance?
Or, was it that when it came to the crunch, the men were afraid to put a woman in charge of the nation’s finances? I’m disappointed because it seems that the Labour Party is just another “old boys’ club”. I may be voting differently next time. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore could do a great service to the country, especially to those young girls and women embarking on their careers, by explaining exactly what it is that women have to do to get the jobs we deserve.
We could get superior professional qualifications to anyone else? No? We could have more experience in the job than anyone else? No? We could provide intelligent and well-thought out briefings to our boss? No? We could step up to the bat for every media debate and interview on the topic? No? If we were politicians, we could top the poll in our constituency? No? Come on, Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore, enlighten us. If we knew what we needed to do, we could do it and we could show our daughters how to do it. Right? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Am I alone in being fed up with the moaning and whining regarding the gender of those appointed as ministers in the new Cabinet? I do not care what variety of gonads my Cabinet minister comes equipped with. Similarly I do not care which part of the country they happen to originate from. What I do care about is that they have relevant skills and abilities that can be applied to the portfolio that they are assigned to and that they are the best person available for the job! – Yours, etc,