Greens ‘missed chance to promote our women’
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GREENS deputy leader Catherine Martin has said there was a “missed opportunity” by her party to promote women within its ranks to ministerial positions.
She was also critical that Green TDS who opposed the Programme for Government document were excluded from the Cabinet table.
Ms Martin said while the party “talks the talk” on promoting diversity and inclusivity, it is not backing that up with action.
Her leader Eamon Ryan is the new Minister for Climate Action, Ms Martin is Minister for Culture and colleague Roderic O’gorman is Minister for Children, Disability and Equality.
Ms Martin, who is challenging Mr Ryan for the top job, told RTE’S Morning Ireland yesterday: “I guess as a female politician and someone who set up the caucus, I would always seek to promote women in our party.
“But having said that, all Green Party ministers who are there are good for the job and I respect the decision there.
“That was the prerogative of Eamon as leader but I do feel that for ever we have women who have proven that they are ready and very able, then we should always seek to promote because young girls cannot aim to be what they cannot see and we should always be seeking to do that to promote women.
“In relation to the male ministers, I congratulate them and they are all able for the job but I think it was a missed opportunity to promote women and from our side, it was also a missed opportunity to unite the party as well, that nobody who voted No or advocated No to the Programme for Government was promoted to ministerial position.
“I think that was a missed opportunity to unite. We are a party that respects and cherishes debate and challenge, and having those voices inside, within government, at a ministerial table would have been welcome.
“We talk the talk in relation to promoting diversity and inclusivity, but if we’re not acting on it, I think that’s regrettable.”
Ms Martin also said she wants the temporary wage subsidy scheme to be rolled on until next year.
She added: “I know that Covid-19 has decimated international and domestic tourism and we need to look at ideas like the extension of the temporary wage subsidy scheme to April and include seasonal staff.
“I will bring that to the table. I am on the [Covid-19] Cabinet subcommittee and I am their voice
fighting for them.”