Gender quota amounts to democracy distortion

An article in one of our national newspapers on Saturday criticised the lack 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 Eireann.

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

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

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

The first consideration should always be the best person for the job given the TD’s experience and qualifications.

It is more worrying to see the total lack of representation of the New Irish in the Dáil which now make up about 20% of the population.

Nuala Nolan

24 Bowling Green

Galway