Femme Fatalities

Selecting two women for stereotypical Cabinet posts shows old attitudes die hard in Irish politics, writes Political Reporter Mary Regan

IT WAS a telling symbol that the first public engagement of our fresh and new Cabinet involved a minister posing with two young models, described as “Kerry Girls” to promote tourism in the county.

The two beauties — who linked arms with the politicians, smiled and waved to the cameras — were given more prominence in the Government’s first day than our two new women ministers who could be seen hidden behind 16 men at the photo of the first cabinet meeting the night before.