Madam, – Congratulations to the Equality Authority for challenging Portmarnock Golf Club – a club that excludes women from membership. We also welcome the comments of the CEO of the Equality Authority that it is a matter for the Oireachtas to consider whether it should amend the Equal Status Act.
The interpretation of the Act by three out of five judges, which states that Portmarnock Golf Club may restrict membership to men only, if its principal purpose is to “cater only for the needs of men”, is a classic Irish solution to an Irish problem. Bravo to Justice Nial Fennelly who states it is “preposterous, unreal, and implausible” for the club to state its principal purpose is other than the playing of golf.
As a group, Women in Golf was to the forefront of campaigning for the rights of women in golf clubs. This proved to be a successful lobby, as more than 400 clubs subsequently admitted women to full membership.
It is time that many of the advocates for change came out of hibernation. Let us now lobby our legislatures. Let us name and shame the men whose “needs” are catered for in clubs such as Portmarnock. The many senior business people, politicians, those in the legal profession, the medical profession, etc, should be outed for condoning and supporting bigotry through their membership. A list of members should be published in the national newspapers. What Government committees, what areas of influence are they involved in? We cannot ignore this gender discrimination – as Justice Denham and Fennelly point out – this is a discriminating club. Only when it becomes socially and professionally unacceptable to be a member of such institutions will we see real change. – Yours, etc,
MARGUERITE MARTIN,
Women in Golf,
Kilcloone Lawns,
Kilcloone, Co Meath.