Sir, - I agree with Jim Jackman (March 3rd) that we need more womenin the Dáil. The contribution of women of all shades of opinion to therecent debate on abortion was, in my opinion, outstanding.
I'm sure I am doing an injustice to some women politicians byleaving them out of the following list, but these are the people Iremember. While not necessarily agreeing with all or anything theysaid, I thought that Dana, Liz MacManus, Mary Hanafin, Nora Owen,Frances FitzGerald and Mary O'Rourke were very committed and madevaluable contributions to what was at times a heated debate. We needmore women like these in the Dáil.
All that is necessary for that to happen is for women to use theirvotes to elect women. The position in the North of Ireland, in whichthe Women's Coalition gets less than 2 per cent of the vote, isindefensible, especially in the light of some of the men who getelected there.
We have had two excellent women presidents and a very successfulleader of an admittedly small political party. So, ladies, let's seemore women in the Dáil after the next election. It would be better forall, including us mere males. - Yours, etc.,
A. LEAVY,
Shielmartin Drive,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.