Will some of our most renowned feminists don Islamic gear and cover themselves from head to toe in aid of a greater cause? Very possibly. The Iranian authorities have invited six women members from the Oireachtas Committees on Foreign Affairs and on Justice, Equality and Women's Rights to travel to Teheran to meet and encourage Iranian women politicians.
It was originally suggested that they travel next week, but this was unsuitable. A later date, within the next few weeks, will be set.
The delegation will be led by Monica Barnes, vice-chair of the Justice committee, and women's rights activists such as Deputies Frances Fitzgerald and Liz McManus, as well as Senator Kathleen O'Meara, are keen to go. Deputy Barnes says she believes that covering themselves up will be part of the package. While this could present a problem for some of the party, she thinks they can bear it if their visit, and that of other European female parliamentarians, helps to open up Iran. In the light of what is happening to women in Algeria and Afghanistan, she says, it is interesting that Iran, with the appointment of a female vice-president, appears to be liberalising.