No kiss of death to female representation

I must take issue with some of the assertions made by Mary Regan in her piece “The kiss of death for female representation in politics?” (Forum, Apr 15).

Her broad stroke approach to the attitude of Government, and Fine Gael in particular, bears no resemblance to my experience as a new female member of that party, where I am seen, heard, encouraged and advised.

I remind you that it was this Government which introduced the gender balance legislation last year, in order to encourage broader participation in politics to strengthen and modernise our democracy — not before time. When we succeed in having a more representative parliament from 2016 onwards we will begin to see a model which reflects the needs and concerns of all citizens from across many under-represented groups.