Quota needed to push parties to change

I FIND myself reading the views of Deputy Joanna Tuffy with nothing short of amazement (Letters, June 22).

Deputy Tuffy apparently wants to conserve “the principle that anyone can contest an election irrespective of their gender”.

From where I’m sitting, it seems that all Ms Tuffy wants to preserve is the status quo where women are excluded because of their gender (See Women’s Participation in Politics Report, 2009).

At the very heart of her letter, Ms Tuffy seems to misunderstand the type of quota being brought in — a quota at candidate selection level — which will serve to add more women to the ballot paper for each party not remove men from it.

The representation of women in our political system is truly appalling and while I don’t disagree that we need to improve the involvement of women at grassroots level — I firmly believe we need a concrete legislative approach to inspire the parties to change.

Minister Hogan has put forward a proposal that has enjoyed success in the spheres of both industry and politics.

Why not try it?

Linda Kelly

Ballyvolane

Cork