Madam, – At a time when the competence of our existing male-dominated political class has been called into question by the sudden collapse of our economy, it is interesting that the debate on the under-representation of women in the Oireachtas has received so little coverage.
I think this is a much more important issue than its coverage in the media would indicate.
Because there are so few women in the Oireachtas, the talents and perspectives of half the population are under-utilised in the most important decision-making forum in our society. Apart from the injustice of this in a so-called representative democracy, it is inefficient to marginalise such talents and capacities as women have.
Given that the nearly 90 per cent male-dominated political system has made such a mess of things, one would have thought that new blood would be important.
Where better to get it than among the marginalised 51 per cent of the population that are women? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I do not agree with Ivana Bacik (November 11th) that there should be quotas for female politicians. I believe that democracy is indivisible, and it can only withstand challenge when it is based on the indivisible tenet – one person, one vote.
Where would it end, I wonder? Should we consider discriminating positively in favour of other under-represented groups in our society, such as Travellers or Poles or redheads? They all could make a case for themselves, because they are minorities.
But women are not.
Those who exhort us to such quotas are missing most glaringly the point that the most under-represented people in Western democracies right now are the 50 per cent, or so, who do not engage with the process to cast a vote at all. This is the real tragedy of democracy.
Thus, if you were to persist in the idea of quotas, you could end up setting aside half the seats in a parliament for those who simply do not vote. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Readers might be interested to know that Prof Eileen Drew (November 16th) who, like Senator Bacik before her (November 11th), calls for gender quotas for election candidates, is also a member of the all-female advisory committee of the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies in Trinity College Dublin.
If they truly believe in the need for gender balance, should they not call for changes on the committee or, alternatively, resign? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Prof Eileen Drew has written in favour of quotas for female politicians (November 16th).
Several years ago, the only two males who were present in the courtroom on the day of the formal hearing for my divorce were myself and the court usher. The judge, barristers and solicitors present were females.
If gender quotas are to be introduced for politicians, I wonder if Prof Drew is in favour of gender quotas for the legal profession as well?
As for gender equity in politics being the hallmark of mature and stable democracies, I wonder how a female politician such as Beverly Flynn has contributed to the maturity and stability of Irish politics? – Yours, etc,