An empty gesture on behalf of women

Eamonn Gilmore refused to attend a male-only dinner in another country, on the premise that such an event is discriminatory towards women.

Yet, in Ireland Mr Gilmore is happy to implement stridently anti-women policies, such as the taxation of maternity benefit and the reduction on the rate of the children’s allowance.

These policies will have a more negative effect on women than any silly St Patrick’s Day dinner hosted by a Catholic secret society, populated in large part by old men who have a sentimental attachment to an Ireland that no longer exists.

I recommend that, in future, Mr Gilmore examines his own policies with regard to women in Ireland, instead of posturing and grandstanding on trivial matters in another jurisdiction.

Ronan MacKernan

Bishopstown

Cork