Unbalanced approach to gender issues

ANTHONY LEAVY (Irish Examiner letters, March 27) seems to miss the reason why Patrick McGinnity (Letters, March 19) mentioned that “the majority of industrial accidents and fatalities involve men because they do most of the high-risk jobs”.

We are regularly lectured to accept that women are discriminated against in the Irish workforce on the basis of one statistic — they earn on average 16% less per hour.

However, using the same method of proof (ie, using one statistic), it could be argued that men are discriminated against in the workforce because they are more likely to die or get seriously injured at work.

Having people such as Mr McGinnity refer to such pieces of data should mean a more balanced discussion can ensue.

Even people with numerous convictions are allowed have their own counsel in our courts but, it seems, when gender politics issues are discussed many would prefer if only one side was allowed put its case.

Tom Kindlon

12 Beechpark Lawn

Dublin 15