Sir, - Grainne Healy of the National Women's Council of Ireland (October 28th) states; "the NWCI represents many women, including those who work full-time in the home."
As a member of the social partnership, why, then, did the NWCI not oppose tax individualisation, which penalises the woman in the home to the tune of £12 a week? Can I now dare to hope that the NWCI is having a change of heart and will oppose Mr McCreevy's stated intention to increase the tax penalty on the woman in the home to more than £100 a week?
I hope the NWCI will also make sure that the childcare responsibilities of all women (whether working in or out of the home) will receive equal financial acknowledgement by the State. The Government is currently ploughing millions into childcare - but only if the mother works outside the home.
Could it be that the NWCI also now intends to withdraw its endorsement of the UN's assertion that in Ireland the persistence of the emphasis on the role of women as mothers and care-givers constitutes a serious impediment to the full implementation of women's equality? My experience is that the NWCI has a radical perspective which promotes the woman in the workplace to the detriment of the woman in the home. Perhaps I am wrong. Grainne Healy may care to enlighten us. - Is mise, etc.,
Mrs Caitriona Lynch, Wyattville Park, Loughlinstown, Co Dublin.