Sir, - The executive panel of the New Ireland Group has considered how it might mark the New Year with an appropriate acknowledgment of the goodwill generated by the visit of President and Mrs Clinton to Ireland.
As a result, we have decided to respond to the address given by Mrs Clinton to the women of Ireland when she spoke to them in the Shaw Room of the National Gallery. A proposal will be put to the next annual general meeting that the constitution of the New Ireland Group be altered to set aside 50 per cent of the places on its executive committee for each gender until such time as gender balance is achieved, and thereafter to ensure that at least 40 per cent of the places on the executive are reserved for each gender.
In making this proposal, we are very conscious of the male dominance within our group and of the work which has still to be done in Organisations and political parties. In the promotion of balance on the gender issue.
We also welcome the discussion and debate provoked by Mrs Fionnula Bruton when she spoke at the meeting addressed by Mrs Clinton; we trust that the heightened awareness raised by such debate may result in a much better gender balance in all committees throughout Ireland, as well as in a better balance in home work and home responsibility too. Some time ago, a very pointed remark was made to one of our members by his wife: "If this New Ireland, that you are always talking about, doesn't start in your own home - forget it!" - Yours, etc.
New Ireland Group,
85 Charlotte Street,
Ballymoney,
Co Antrim.
P.S. - Aims and roles of the NIG may be obtained by request, enclose a s.a.e.