WOMEN VOTING 100 YEARS
“CULTURAL change will only come about when we have more women in politics,” said the Minister for Education and Skills Joe McHugh at the celebration of the centenary of women’s suffrage in Ireland and the UK.
He was joined on a couch by Fianna Fáil Sligo/Leitrim Deputy Marc MacSharry, Sinn Féin Deputy Martin Kenny, Green Party TD Catherine Martin, Fine Gael Sligo County Councillor Sinead Maguire, Independent Councillor Niamh Kennedy, Leitrim Councillor Sinead Guckian which was chaired by broadcaster and journalist Alison O’Connor.
Well-known playwright, novelist, poet and columnist Michael Harding gave a reflection at the end of the event.
MEP Marian Harkin delivered the opening address while RTE broadcaster Carole Coleman interviewed Dr Helen Pankhurst and Dr Micheline Sheehy Skeffington in the morning.
Minister McHugh said that “having been married to a politician and someone once touted as the next leader of Fine Gael, women in politics is very much on my radar.”
One questioner, Niamh O’Brien from Clare earned a round of applause when she asked Minister McHugh what kind of policy he had introduced since the infamous ‘ lapgate’ incident in the Dáil on the night the controversial Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill was debated in July 2013.
Minister McHugh replied that the feedback he receives is that “people are treated with respect” in the Dáil.
Eileen Conneely from Manorhamilton attended with a group of women from the North Leitrim Women’s Centre: “I thought it was inspiring. Made me think about maybe speaking up more.”
One of the few men at the event, IT student Terance McEneaney said: “I thought it was kind of sad that 100 years after such an event, we’re still here today talking about it. I know that there’s efforts being made but it’s too little.”