Sexism in Dail Eareann : Let’s Open Our Eyes.

Women’s News December 05/ January 06

Genevieve Carbery

In a report for the BBC in September 2005 it was found that women have ‘been forced’ to tolerate sexism, remarks about their looks and barracking from colleagues. Spending time with their families is a challenge – and even the odd marriage has gone to the wall in the name of the job’. Women’s News asked Genevieve Carbery to find out if the situation is the same for women politicians in Ireland.

Women TDs do not perceive sexism in Dail Eireann to be as direct or as severe as the recent report of women MPs in the UK parliament. Irish Women TDs tell of inappropriate comments, barriers to selection and traditional male networks, however, [in a classic example of shouldering the responsibility of the wrongs of society]., they say the way they are treated depends on their attitude.

“There is no doubt that there is a mindset about what is the place for women” says newly elected Independent TD, Catherine Murphy. “There are advantages to being a woman, not that I haven’t experienced things that are uncomfortable at least” says the Kildare Deputy. “You will find remarks” she explains, retelling a conversation between a male and female colleague having tea and cakes after both giving speeches, “the male TD said, ‘I suppose you made these yourself’, but he quickly realised that he was out of order”.

Discrimination due to “small subtleties” is noted by Fiona O’Malley of the Progressive Democrats. “After a vote you have four minutes to the next vote” she says. “There is one loo just outside the chamber which now has a men’s sign, the women’s is further away. If I’m not back on time I’m excluded from the vote.” The facilities in the Dail bar are also problematic because it is a traditional men’s place “the loos are not nice for women” says the Dun Laoghaire TD.

Providing childcare for TDs is”seen as more of a women’s issue” says Jan O’Sullivan Labour TD. It annoys her that “only lip service is paid to the idea that it should be an issue for men and women”.

“There is a clubby atmosphere which is strengthened by some people being here longer than others” answers Fiona O’Malley to the question of male networks. Over half of women TDs are relative newcomers, elected to the Dail within the last ten years.

However, Deputy O’Malley says she doesn’t feel excluded.

In the 2002 general election fewer than 10 per cent of candidates were female. “Within parties you get selection difficulties, the selection of women has to be promoted,” says Jan O’Sullivan. “I see good women struggle to get nominations” says Catherine Murphy.

Fianna Fail recently committed to have a one third quota of women candidates by 2014. Fiona O’Malley doesn’t “believe in quotas” and says it is much better if women are in the Dail on an equal footing to everyone else. Jan O’Sullivan is in favour of quotas because men have traditionally been in power. Catherine Murphy says that visibility of women in politics and the critical mass quotas give is important.

Despite these issues, the TDs see it as up to themselves to overcome any sexism. “I never expected to be treated differently myself,” says longstanding Fianna Fail TD, Mary Wallace. While Fiona O’Malley demands to be treated equally, “I take no nonsense” says the TD. “Older women may not be so pushy and I may be seen as argumentative”. Catherine Murphy explains, “If you see yourself as different you are looking for a point of exclusion”.