Gender equality in Cabinet not a priority

An article in one of our national newspapers on Saturday criticised the lack of an equal number of women around the Cabinet table in Government.

But surely appointments should be made with reference to the best person for the job, not how many women are on the front bench.

When people vote, they vote for who they believe is the best person to represent them in Dáil Éireann.

While some may vote on a gender basis, it is obvious by the results of elections, even with the gender quota, most people do not.

Having a gender quota on the ballot sheet is a good thing, but if a lesser number of women are elected by the people, that is the choice of the electorate.

It is bordering on a distortion of democracy in that case to demand that equality of women representation around the Cabinet table. At best it is patronising.

The first consideration should always be the best person for the job giving the TD’s experience and qualifications. It is more worrying to see the total lack of representation of the New Irish in the Dail which now make up about 20% of the population.

Nuala Nolan

24 Bowling Green

Galway