Inappropriate behaviour ‘is not the same as bullying’ – Leo
‘BOORISH’, inappropriate’ and ‘obnoxious behaviour’ do not always equate to bullying or sexual assault, Leo Varadkar has said.
The Taoiseach’s comments came after Junior Minister Mary Mitchell O’Connor criticised a culture of sexism and macho behaviour among male deputies in the Dáil.
Mr Varadkar also said there were occasions in the Dáil where he was ‘shouted down and interrupted’, adding: ‘But that’s largely perpetrated by the men and women of Sinn Féin and the left rather than men specifically.’
This prompted Sinn Féin to accuse him of trying to score political points amid a very serious societal debate.
Ms Mitchell O’Connor, the Junior Minister for Higher Education, was quoted in a newspaper yesterday as saying: ‘There are days when I am ashamed of my life in there [the Dáil]. Up in the gallery you see children in on a school
‘I believe there’s sexism in Dáil’
tour looking down on this kind of behaviour.’
Asked about the comments yesterday, she said she hadn’t personally experienced sexual harassment in the Dáil.
However, she said she has noticed bullying, such as male counterparts dismissing or talking down female counterparts.
‘I would believe there is sexism in the Dáil,’ she said.
Yesterday, the Taoiseach welcomed the fact that more women are coming forward to share their stories of harassment and sexual abuse.
‘I don’t think that anyone can ever tolerate systemic bullying or harassment or physical or sexual assault in any workplace, whether it’s the arts or the Oireachtas or anywhere else,’ he said.
‘I’m encouraged by the fact that more people are willing to come forward and tell their stories because I think we can change the culture here.’
However, he warned against automatically accepting every allegation at face value – and also said that simple bad behaviour should not always be interpreted as bullying or sexual assault.
He said: ‘Allegations are allegations, and while they should be taken seriously, the public shouldn’t always assume they’re true. That’s why they need to be investigated first.
‘Secondly, I think we need to bear in mind that all forms of inappropriate behaviour or boorish behaviour or obnoxious behaviour don’t necessarily constitute systemic bullying or sexual assault.’
The Taoiseach said he believes the Oireachtas is a safe place, but added: ‘That’s not to say that there isn’t macho behaviour on occasion in the Oireachtas – there certainly is. I’ve spoken myself about how, very often, when you’re trying to conduct normal business in the Dáil, you’re shouted down and interrupted constantly. But that’s largely perpetrated by the men and women of Sinn Féin and the left rather than men specifically.’
Sinn Féin deputy leader
‘Interrupted constantly’
Mary Lou McDonald said these remarks cheapened the office of the Taoiseach and that ‘women inside and outside the Dáil deserve more from the head of Government’. She said: ‘Women across the political spectrum will take no lectures from a Taoiseach that has failed to even support the women in his own party. Let’s not forget that just one in five of the ministers and ministers of state appointed by Leo Varadkar are women.
‘These are very serious issues and it is disgraceful that the Taoiseach would view such matters through the prism of political advantage.’
Mr Varadkar also said yesterday that procedures for reporting allegations of sexism in Leinster House were a matter for the Houses of the Oireachtas.
According to reports, a new set of policies on dealing with sexual misconduct allegations could be introduced by staff at Leinster House, with the issue expected to be raised by the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission in the coming weeks.