Halligan finally runs out of political credit

EVEN the last-chance saloon has a credit limit. In terms of being overdrawn in the credibility bank, junior minister John Halligan has bounced his last cheque. It is completely unacceptable for any prospective employer to say to an interviewee: “I shouldn’t be asking you this, but ... are you a married woman? Do you have children? How old are your children?”

For a minister to make such a grave error of judgment is utterly inexcusable. This week, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that in his experience sexism was not an issue in the Dáil. Mr Halligan’s questions were both discriminatory and utterly inappropriate.

Yesterday’s Workplace Relations Commission ruling must lay down a marker. An absence of consequence for Mr Halligan would send out all the wrong signals.

For him to attempt to deflect criticism of his actions, which have cost the State €7,500, merely adds insult to injury and makes him clearly unfit for Government.

“I was simply trying to put the interviewee at ease. I wanted to assure her that I am as flexible as possible with members of my team with any external or non-work commitments they may have,” he said.

He may not have intended to make the woman feel uncomfortable, but that is not the point. He is a powerful holder of office and privilege, conducting business of the State. Equality is a major issue in the workforce.

Many women feel that their voices are unheard and they are scarcely seen. There are clear guidelines laid down and Mr Halligan trampled all over them. This is not about political correctness or over-sensitivity; it is about making sure that rights are respected and recognised.

Confronted this week with Mr Halligan’s preposterous plan to visit North Korea, Mr Varadkar said: “I am not the keeper of any of my ministers, so if they wish to travel to North Korea, I am not going to be sending anyone to stop them at the airport, but certainly it won’t be a Government [trip].” After yesterday’s revelations, a more pertinent question is will the Taoiseach be there to stop Mr Halligan coming back?