Support for Buttimer as he denies claims of misogyny in Seanad
Fine Gael man insists he has done nothing wrong in bitter sexism row
Lorraine Clifford-lee SENATOR Jerry Buttimer has denied making misogynistic comments in the Seanad this week – and he has got support from female politicians.
The Fine Gael politician insisted he is going to raise the matter again with the Cathaoirleach because he feels he has done nothing wrong.
Mr Buttimer was tackled by Fianna Fail Senator Lorraine Clifford-lee when he told her she was trying to “assert” herself during a debate on Wednesday.
She claimed this was a “gendered” remark and accused him of misogyny.
The Seanad ended up being suspended for 15 minutes as a result of the dispute.
But it sparked a wider debate with many saying an accusation of hating women was a step too far.
Fine Gael Senator Gabrielle Mcfadden said Ms Clifford Lee was not helping the cause of equality and was just seeking attention. She tweeted: “@Lorrcliff doing a huge disservice to women by accusing any man who disagrees with her of #misogyny.
“Women are often mistreated or dismissed in society – she undermines all our struggle by making duplicitous accusations just to get attention for herself.”
Senator Mcfadden then added the hashtag #Girlwhocriedwolf.
A prominent female politician, who wished to remain anonymous, defended the Seanad leader and said “PC has gone too far”.
She added: “To be honest, being in Leinster House, with all this talk about women, you get tired of it.
“Most men who talk about it here are talking bullsh*t, and most women who talk about it here are talking bullsh*t because the women would be the first to stand on your face, that’s my feeling
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about it. It’s all a bit hypocritical and showy. I don’t think Jerry is a misogynist, he’s no angel, but he’s no misogynist.”
Mr Buttimer defended his position on the Neil Prendeville Show on Cork’s Red FM yesterday.
He said: “The remark made was neither misogynistic nor gendered and I am very upset and disappointed by the tone of what happened.
“Anyone who knows me will know that is one thing that I am not, I am not a hater of women in any respect.
“I’m disappointed because words matter and they do have a resonance.
“The fact newspapers and programmes are talking about it and linking me with misogyny is very upsetting because that’s very unfair.”
Anyone who knows me will know that I am not a hater of women JERRY BUTTIMER