Madam, – Amid the justifiable public concern at the make-up of the new Cabinet and ranks of junior ministers regarding gender, there seems to be little debate at the decision of the new Government not to appoint a junior minister for older people.
The omission defies logic. The programme for government features a considerable amount of policy relating to older people, including the commitment to complete and implement the National Positive Ageing Strategy. But, in the absence of a minister to steer this through, who will ensure the Government addresses the issues of ageing in a joined-up, comprehensive way? Ireland has had a Minister for Older People in each administration since Dr Tom Moffatt’s appointment to the position in 1997. But now, at a time when governments around the world are intensifying their planning for their ageing populations, our Government decides not to appoint a minister with responsibility for this important policy area.
There has been no explanation for the decision and no public uproar.
If Ireland is to start planning for the challenges posed as the percentage of our population aged over-65 rises from the current 11 per cent to 25 per cent by 2060, then that task must start now. The challenge is not just about providing for the needs of the current generation of older people, but to plan for the needs of all who hope to grow old in Ireland. – Yours, etc,
EAMON TIMMINS,
Head of Advocacy and Communications,
Age Action,
Lower Camden Street,
Dublin 2.
A chara, – Dr Jonathan Roth (March 12th) bemoans the incoming Government’s failure to appoint a minister for older people. Perhaps given the age profile of the Cabinet (average age 57 years) they didn’t feel the need. – Is mise,
OISIN O hALMHAIN,
Viking Harbour,
Usher’s Island, Dublin 8.
Madam, – Were we merely paying lip-service to the welfare of children when we expressed outrage at the abuse and neglect of children in our country in recent years? It seems that the Department of Children is judged to be the bottom of the pile as a Cabinet position. Once again power and status hold sway. It was reassuring to hear the values expressed by Frances Fitzgerald and Joan Burton in their recent RTÉ interviews, notably concern and understanding for the most vulnerable in our society. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – I have great sympathy for Joan Burton being passed over for the Cabinet job that many people felt she deserved. This has led to the predictable chorus of interested parties bemoaning the sexism in both Irish politics and society and it’s hard to deny that there is merit in these representations.
However, many have commented on the older age-profile of the Cabinet, yet it is interesting to note that none seem to have been accused of ageism. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – After umpteen years of unfettered excess, is there any possibility that a majority of our newly elected TDs have learned that personal ambition, greed and self-aggrandisement have proven to be the wrong options? Would we not be better off looking after our neighbour instead of number one? This would have surprisingly beneficial consequences for everybody.
By dint of a strange quirk of fate, Joan Burton would appear to have inherited the most important job in the State – ask the silent majority – let us hope that she also has been imbued with some of the wisdom of Solomon; we are all going to need it. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – It would be interesting to know who many of the men and women so exercised about the gender imbalance in the Dáil gave their first preference vote to a woman candidate. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – That women are significantly under-represented in industry, commerce and politics is incontrovertible. (Letters, March 12th) A recent study by the Cranfield School of Management found that of the leading companies in the FTSE 100, only 12.5 per cent of the board positions were filled by women. Only last week, Nick Clegg, our deputy prime minister warned the Lib Dems that they were “too pale and too male to represent Britain”. Of the 649 MPs in the House of Commons just 144 are women and in the cabinet of 23 there are only four females.
Until positive discrimination is introduced to give women a fairer crack of the whip, the situation will remain unchanged. It is evident that self-regulation is not working. Of course, such a practice is anathema to many who consider the proposal to be incoherent, claiming that only the best regardless of gender should advance. This is a specious argument and I believe to be a fig-leaf for inactivity. Yes, the strongest candidates should advance, but looking at the statistics quoted earlier, I cannot accept that men are intrinsically more competent than women, as these figures would suggest. Then there is the view that such a practice reeks of tokenism. This stance is demeaning to women and it is inevitable that such a calumny will be spread around by those who wish to maintain the status quo.
When faced with overwhelming odds, the Carthaginian leader Hannibal declared that he would either find a way, or make one. Ladies take note. – Yours, etc,
FRANK GREANEY,
Lonsdale Road,
Formby,
Liverpool, England.
A chara, – While there has been much media commentary about jobs for the boys, perhaps we should be observing some jobs for the teachers. Enda Kenny, Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin all occupy very senior political positions and are all former teachers. Micheál Martin is also a teacher. As are many other TDs. Is the Dáil an old teachers’ club? – Is mise,
ALEX STAVELEY,
Turvey Walk,
Donabate, Co Dublin.
Madam, – Having driven to the south west recently and seen the countryside for the first time this spring, I’m afraid the new Government omitted one very important appointment – Minister for Litter. – Yours, etc,