Sir, – Congratulations to Kathy Sheridan ("Society is rigged to reflect the perspective of men", Opinion & Analysis, November 12th) for highlighting the anti-women tone to the candidate selection process in political parties consequent on the introduction of gender quotas for the next general election.
She tells us that reducing the proportion of male candidates to 70 per cent is causing “rage at some selection conventions” because of the “core belief of some men who feel entitled to run this State”.
That sense of entitlement is highlighted further by the fact that it is taking place in a country in which less than 5 per cent of TDs since independence have been women.
By having more candidates from the more than 50 per cent of the population that are women the next election is a chance to make this so-called representative democracy a bit more representative. – Yours, etc,
A LEAVY,
Sutton,
Dublin 13.
Sir, – Women comprise half of the voting population, and are just as eligible to run for election as men.
So if you’re a woman who feels you can’t rise through the ranks of a major party because the party is too patriarchal (an accusation I sometimes hear), then all you have to do is run as an Independent.
You’ll get elected if you are popular enough with the voters (female and male alike). And you won’t have to join, or re-join, a large party.
You can always just set up your own. Call it the Irish Women’s Party, or something similar.
In fact, I am somewhat surprised no such party exists in today’s Ireland. – Yours, etc,
ANDREW MOYNIHAN,
Sandymount,
Dublin 4.