Madam, – One glass ceiling vanished on Wednesday with the appointment of Máire Whelan, the first female attorney general.
Another one was fixed firmly in place in Labour when Joan Burton was effectively sidelined and Róisin Shorthall, Jan O’Sullivan and Kathleen Lynch sacrificed for the greater good of the alpha male. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – As an Irish emigrant living in Sydney since 1989, I want to express my disappointment that only two women were appointed to the new Fine Gael/Labour front-bench.
This was especially dismal given that we are in the week that celebrates the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day! What does this say about Ireland? What does it say to emigrant women such as myself? Surely there are more women of merit that we can draw on to lead Ireland into the future? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – The Coalition’s new programme for government states it will take steps to ensure all State boards have 40 per cent of each gender. Should the composition of the new Cabinet, which falls well short of this mark, not suggest to them that such inflexible measures are problematic? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I read with interest of the new appointments to the ministerial posts. It is nice to see our new Government that is committed to reform and saving the public money begins with the establishment of a new “super junior” ministry. Some things never change. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Stephen Collins (Opinion & Analysis, March 10th) writes that Joan Burton’s appointment to the post of Social Protection rather than an economic ministry “raised a few eyebrows”.
Why is appointment to this important government position often perceived by politicians as some kind of demotion? I recall that both the late Séamus Brennan and Mary Hanafin were deemed to have been sidelined by Bertie Ahern when assigned this portfolio.
It’s about time that this complex and high-spending ministry, which affects the lives of so many people, loses its “Cinderella” status.
Its budget spend is in excess of €20 billion, which makes it larger than most companies on the Irish stock exchange. Does it not require someone with a proven grasp of finance and economics to run this major department efficiently and effectively? I’m sure Ms Burton is eminently qualified to do so. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Watching the footage of Enda Kenny in his new office on Wednesday, I couldn’t help noticing that above the mantelpiece where, until very recently, a portrait of Éamon de Valera hung, there now hangs a portrait of Michael Collins. Are Civil War politics still with us? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I totally agree with Noel Peers, Enda Kenny does indeed appear to be a “very able, intelligent, decent, honourable and capable” person.
However, never has an incoming taoiseach been more constrained in his job, and I very much doubt he will be in a position to use these admirable qualities. Given the Government’s and the country’s current woes, perhaps tough, combative, resilient, hard-nosed and driven may serve him better. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Partnership is preferred to Coalition to describe the new Government. Did they not think of Interparty? – Yours, etc,
A chara, – Perhaps it was mostly Fine Gael supporters who bathed in the glory of Enda Kenny’s political success on March 9th, but it is not hard to believe that most Irish people were won over by his humility and candour. He introduced some sense of humanity to politics that has been long overdue and which we hope will endure.
Watching Mr Kenny rise to lead our next Government, I was driven to reflect on how proud or relieved my own late father might have been. A friend of Mr Kenny’s father, Henry, he died in 2009, 88 years after the foundation of this State, his last breath sadly bearing witness to a country, of which he was so deeply affectionate, virtually brought to its knees. It would have been an event somewhat less despairing had we, his children, been somehow able to comfort him that all was not lost. But such is life; the promise of any light at the end of the tunnel has, until now in any event, seemed very elusive.
Mr Kenny’s accession to the post of taoiseach may just have lit a spark. Coming as he did from the brink of near annihilation at the hands of rebels within his own ranks a bare year ago, he has already delivered exactly the tone of leadership the Irish people have been longing for; humble, inspiring and determined. The Mayo man, who has long been at the receiving end of mocking by certain cliques, has shown his steel and flexed his considerable political acumen. Have we found ourselves a leader fit for the times in which find ourselves? Let us hope it is indeed fortuitous choice and not another folly. I would not relish the day when I might have cause to stand over my father’s place of rest and say “ you missed nothing”. – Is mise,
Madam, – During the recent election, lamp-posts throughout Ireland bore the “immortal” legend “Gilmore for Taoiseach”. Many hearts gladdened at the prospect of a first-ever Labour taoiseach, but alas, the electorate decided otherwise.
What a come-down then, that when the youngest deputy in the House, Fine Gael’s Simon Harris proposed Enda Kenny for Taoiseach, his seconder came not from the Fine Gael benches, but from Ciara Conway of the Labour Party! Whither now the party of Jim Larkin and James Connolly? – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I am disappointed and discouraged that Joan Burton’s particular experience and expertise are not to be utilised in an economic ministry. I believe she will be wasted in Social Protection and that her appointment and that of Frances Fitzgerald are regressive.
Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore appear to be stuck in the 1970s when the areas of family, children and “social affairs” were regarded as suitable for the ladies and were therefore seen as “soft”. If I comment on their conservatism and their age, no doubt I will be regarded as both ageist and sexist. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – All's changed, changed utterly in the 31st Dáil (Editorial, The Irish Times, March 10th). A terrible duty is born. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Congratulations to the electorate on spring-cleaning the Dáil. Many cobwebs swept away, a few missed! Now a little fine “tuning” is required.
Our elected TDs are given the privilege to be heard. To expect the eloquence of Cicero would be unreasonable, but elected representatives must realise that public speaking is an important part of their well-paid job. Regional accents are important and when articulated well are clear to everyone.
Colloquial speech and poor diction are usually down to word laziness. In addition, “the ghastliness of the gab” or more accurately, the national propensity for verbosity, is frequently heard in the chamber.
The reintroduction into schools of elocution and the discipline of being concise, is long overdue. However, it is not too late for all TDs to acquire or improve these skills and with it to increase self-confidence and improve debate. A good speaker holds our attention, transmits positive feelings and is more likely to get productive results. A benefit for all.
Fine tuning maybe, but a useful tool in the herculean task ahead.
I wish them well. – Yours, etc,