Ireland will have a female Taoiseach soon but it won’t be me – Doherty

SOCIAL Protection Minister Regina Doherty has predicted the day is nearing when Ireland will get its first female Taoiseach – but she said it won’t be her.

The Meath TD, who was appointed to the Cabinet by Leo Varadkar last year, has said she does not aspire to lead a future government.

Writing a piece in the Irish Independent to mark International Women’s Day, Ms Doherty says: “If a woman decides that she wants to become Taoiseach – which I don’t, by the way – she can be confident that her suitability for the role will be judged on her ability to perform that role, and not on her gender.”

As one of only 19 women to ever serve as a senior minister in Ireland, Ms Doherty says she has “benefited in a society that has removed many of the barriers that held back previous generations of women”.

But she cites the Harvey Weinstein controversy when defending the logic of continuing to have a special day to mark women’s rights.

“Despite a myriad of laws that are in place to protect us, some men can behave towards us in a most vile and disgusting manner, without suitable sanction.”

International Women’s Day will be marked by a series of events around Leinster House today. As part of the Votáil 100 campaign to mark the 100 years of women’s suffrage, artist Noel Murphy has produced a portrait featuring all 53 female members of the Dáil and Seanad.