Any woman who has been a member of Fianna Fail in Dublin for more than 10 years is now eligible to have a diploma conferred upon her "as a mark of respect for their passion, persistence and dedication to the party over the years". The organiser and originator of the idea, the founder of Lir chocolates FF National Executive member, Mary White, hopes FF branches elsewhere in the country will follow suit and honour their women too.
It all takes place at a gala lunch in the Berkeley Court Hotel next Saturday where the women will be addressed by a man, Dr Denis Carroll, on the Women of 1798. The presentations will be made by another man, new FF general secretary, Martin Mackin and the guest of honour will be a third man, the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern. Quidnunc thought, with a woman President, three women in the Cabinet and women election candidates now considered no different from their male counterparts, the patronising days were over. She wonders what the men of Fianna Fail will be getting. A degree?