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Sam Boal/RollingNews.ie

'Missed opportunity' to promote women - Catherine Martin criticises Greens' cabinet appointments

While Minister Martin respects those appointed, she would’ve liked to see a woman promoted.

MINISTER CATHERINE MARTIN has said that the Green Party junior ministerial appointments were a “missed opportunity to promote women”. 

Martin, who is currently engaging in a leadership contest with Greens leader and cabinet colleague Eamon Ryan, first marked her disappointment at the leadership hustings last night. 

Speaking on Morning Ireland today, Martin said that while she respected the appointment of the new Green ministers, she would have liked to see a woman promoted.

During the appointment of junior ministries, Ossian Smyth, Malcolm Noonan and Joe O’Brien all received positions. 

Neasa Hourigan, the party’s finance spokesperson, was overlooked for a junior ministry in the Department of Public Expenditure, with the role instead going to Smyth.

“I do feel that wherever we have women who have proven that they are ready and very able then we should always seek to promote,” said Martin.

“Young girls cannot aim to be what they cannot see.”

When asked about misogyny in the party, Martin said that they need to do more as a party to promote diversity and inclusion within it.

“We talk the talk in relation to promoting diversity and inclusivity but if we’re not acting on it I think that’s regrettable and that’s something I’d like to see changed”.

Martin originally set up the Irish Women’s Parliamentary Caucus in 2017, as well as the Mná Glasa, which is used to give a forum to discuss safeguarding and promoting women’s equal participation in politics. 

According to Martin, the appointment of junior ministers was also a missed opportunity to unite the party after the programme for government debate, as no TD who campaigned against the PfG was promoted to a ministry.

At the leadership hustings last night, Martin promised “a new unity” in the membership if she is elected leader in the coming weeks. 

She said that she would “work tirelessly” to achieve climate justice in Ireland.

Both Martin and Ryan said at the hustings that they would be willing to pull down the government if Green Party policies weren’t being delivered.

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42 Comments
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    Mute Brian O'Sullivan
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    Jul 8th 2020, 11:46 AM

    She should have been asked which woman she would have appointed to which position, and who she would have excluded. In the absence of any specifics this is all lip service which does nothing to advance matters for women, while undermining those who have been appointed.

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    Mute Nelse
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:10 PM

    @Brian O’Sullivan: They only have 2 women TD’s, the only other option would have been Neasa Hourigan. She is making it out that Eamonn Ryan overlooked throngs of qualified women, whereas from a panel of 9 men and 2 women, he choose 1 woman and 5 men. As close to as proportionate as he could.

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:37 PM

    @Brian O’Sullivan: The purpose of cabinet appoinments is to place the best people in the appropriate positions to run this country, if Catherine Martin has an alternate agenda then perhaps she should reconsider her own position. Cabinet positions should not be used as an opportunity to further a feminist, or any other, agenda. If the best person for the role is male, female, black, white, worships a rock or nothing at all, so be it. Everyone has the same opportunity to place themselves befor the electorate, which is also approximately equal, male and female, it’s time we stopped making excuses.

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    Mute Chris OB
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    Jul 8th 2020, 3:24 PM

    @Arch Angel: Who is making the decision on who’s best though and what makes them more qualified. I see very little qualification among the ministers for their appointed role. So your point is complete rubbish in fact most of the countries who have done a better job through the pandemic have been led by women. Positive bias to redress the gender inequality is a good thing.

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    Mute Hans Vos
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    Jul 8th 2020, 3:37 PM

    @Chris OB: Which countries led by women did a better job? There are only 2 that jump my mind. Germany and New Zealand.

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jul 8th 2020, 4:09 PM

    @Brian O’Sullivan: Does anyone think that She would or should have excluded Rhoderic . .???

    7
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    Mute John Buckley
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    Jul 8th 2020, 4:21 PM

    @Nelse: actually the greens have 2 female ministers; Ryan brought in one from the Senate. This ballance shows Ryan had too much favoritism for women. Hourigan has only herself to blame for not having ministry; negotiable a program for government and then vote against it – total incompetence.

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    Mute Keith MacSuibhne
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    Jul 8th 2020, 5:59 PM

    @Eugene Comaskey: she should exclude him solely on account of his association with paedophillia advocate/appologist peter tatchell.

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Jul 8th 2020, 7:50 PM

    @Chris OB: Exactly what gender inequality are you referring to, women in business, women in movies, women in politics? And why on earth should we introduce positive bias, assuming you mean women in politics, can you demonstrate that women are in any way obstructed from entering politics or standing for election. Politics is arguably the most democratic and equal job of all, it’s open to both men and women alike who are chosen by the electorate made up entirely 50/50 of men and women. What tends to happen is that the majority of politicians standing for election are men, as are the majority of those elected. We could spend from now to the end of time arguing why but reversing that is very undemocratic and decidedly unequal. At no time in the process are women hindered from standing for election or from being elected, since 50% of those electing them are themselves women. It’s been suggested that political parties deliberately don’t chose women but think about this. They want their candidate to be elected, they don’t care if that person is male or female but will put forward the person they believe stands the best chance of election.
    While some nations are able to pick and chose what qualifications their ministers will have, picking doctors for health, lawyers for justice and so on, as a small country we can’t afford to be so choosy. We’ve often had publicans, shopkeepers and teachers, and to be fair they haven’t all been that bad. The point isn’t so much their qualifications, after all, we’ve had some qualified Ministers for Health who left a lot to be desired, others without any qualifications served in their roles with distinction. No, it’s that they’re there to do that one job and no other, to wear one hat only. Anyone taking a position in their nations government shouldn’t be considering any other role or cause, whether that’s promoting men, women, cats or dogs.
    Two from the almost 200 countries in the world managed reasonably well during the pandemic, which is about 1% of the world countries, and both face returning to lockdown. I’d hold the applause. Looking at the ratio of women and men in the new government against the same ratio of women to men elected to The Green Party, FG and FF, they’ve nothing to complain about.

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    Mute The next small thing
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    Jul 8th 2020, 11:49 AM

    She was cute enough to put her name forward for the leadership knowing that she would at least get a senior ministry out of it. Politicians, regardless of gender, will look out for themselves first and foremost.

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    Mute Billyjoe Remarkable
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:12 PM

    She didn’t miss the opportunity to get her brother appointed a Senator

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    Mute Leadóg
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    Jul 8th 2020, 11:47 AM

    Not if the women overlooked didnt have the necessary skills and ability.

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    Mute john s
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    Jul 8th 2020, 11:49 AM

    What a clown. Involved in all these decisions but gives out. Negotiates program for government and then gives out. She is showing that she is not fit for government in my opinion

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    Mute Alan McArdle
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:14 PM

    @john s: it’s a handy bandwagon for her.

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    Mute LangerDan
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    Jul 8th 2020, 11:56 AM

    Limiting diversity in cabinet to only the gender divide does nothing to improve the lives of those from socially disadvantaged backgrounds who have historically been massively under-represented at cabinet. These calls for inclusivity tend to come from those aiming to create space and opportunity for themselves and also tends to ignore more important social dividers which inhibit social mobility.

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    Mute Caoimhín O'Cheallacháin
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:02 PM

    @LangerDan: what?!!

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    Mute Bluepoolroad
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:22 PM

    @Caoimhín O’Cheallacháin: Its English Caoimh, but not as we know it.;)

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    Mute Sean
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:31 PM

    @Caoimhín O’Cheallacháin: what he is saying is that Catherine is arguing for more women to be promoted to improve diversity but asks why they are not calling for other underrepresented minorities also to be promoted beyond their merits if diversity is what they are truly after.

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    Mute Rúraíocht
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:46 PM

    @Caoimhín O’Cheallacháin: he’s saying she’s being self serving. Which is true.

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    Mute Alan Currie
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:29 PM

    So she wants to discriminate males to battle perceived sexism. Does anyone else not see the irony here?

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    Mute Lisa Jones
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:41 PM

    @Alan Currie: No i think she’s saying that to encourage young girls to aim higher and feel they can achieve positions of power that they have to actually see more women IN positions of power. Im sure the men earned the positions in one way or another.
    And the same must be said of quotas for people with disabilities, people of colour etc. Equality and diversity is not just looking at white middle aged males. No matter how qualified everyone shouts that they are.

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    Mute Alan Currie
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:44 PM

    @Alan Currie: I meant to add, regardless of industry, society needs to have a discussion on whether the best skilled person should get the role no matter their group identity (gender, sexuality, colour, religion etc), or is it better for society to risk having less qualified people getting roles but fitting the ideal group identity quotas, and perform the role with less skill.

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    Mute Customer Service Agent 1916☘️
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    Jul 8th 2020, 5:51 PM

    @Lisa Jones: This kind of politics only creates division by dividing people into categories based on immutable characteristics and then tinkering with society by applying those characteristics to create an increasingly more atomised society. This reasoning never ends and is never happy. It’s dangerous meddling dressed up as utopian equal outcomes for all.

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    Mute SkepticalHippoEyes
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:06 PM

    One of the parties should have all TD’s come out as gender neutral, thus short circuiting both SJW’s and conservatives at the same time.

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    Mute Nelse
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:06 PM

    They have 11 TD’s in government, 2 of which are women, they have 3 full Ministers and 3 Ministers of state. Catherine Martin is a minister, so what she is saying is that out of the 5 people not promoted to cabinet, she is disappointed that one of them is a woman.

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    Mute ismiseleo
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Why? Best person for the job is too mainstream nowadays?

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    Mute Rochelle
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:06 PM

    I don’t really see the point in this leadership contest anymore considering Catherine Martin sold out her beliefs for a minsterial position and seanad seat for her brother.

    There’s definitely a split within the Greens but both candidates are now representing the same side. Neasa Hourigan or Hazel Chu should be the people contesting as the alternative approach to Eamon Ryan.

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    Mute Masses are awakening
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:57 PM

    Why was Roderic O Gorman appointed as Childrens Minister? There s a protect children march being organised in Dublin mainly as a result of it. Why not appoint a straight / non-homosexual person to a position that involves for the most part a straight male and a female copulating to produce a child. I know there are exceptions like IV, adoption, surrogacy, etc but these are a minority. Why did Michael Martin court controversy so early in his tenure? Ireland isn’t homophobic as evidenced by Varadkar s success but we are very protective of our children. People pushing for legalising sex and transgender operations for young teenagers does not sit comfortably with many.
    Roderic O Gorman s links to paedophilia apologists has also provoked the ire of gay men who are obhorred by paedophelia.

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    Mute Rachel O' Meara
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    Jul 8th 2020, 2:33 PM

    @Masses are awakening: You don’t have to have a background in health to be the minister for health or a background in education to be minister for education etc. It would be ideal but even when you do have a politician with a background in let’s say health and he or she becomes minister for health it makes little difference as history has shown the impact they have on the overall sector is still the same as someone who had no previous knowledge of the sector.

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    Mute Rachel O' Meara
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    Jul 8th 2020, 2:51 PM

    @Masses are awakening: Being gay has nothing to do with the character of a person or their moral compass. There are good and bad straight people of all creeds and colours and equally there are good and bad gay people of all creeds and colours. Over the last ten years or so there’s an idea in the social subconscious a that gay person can do no wrong, that to be gay these days means you are on the side of all things good and pure, this is simply not true as all people are different. Equality means treating all people the same under law it doesn’t mean that all people are equal in their motives. One gay person is not the same as the next as demonstrated by the publics attitude towards people like Leo Varadkar and Roderic O’ Gorman.

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    Mute Damon16
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:15 PM

    What we really need to discuss is the height and attractiveness bias evident in the cabinet. Why are good looking, tall people not adequately represented? I think there is institutional bias against this group and I think quotas must be necessary. What will young tall attractive people think when they look at the cabinet and see none of their own people represented.

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    Mute Marg FitzGerald
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    Jul 8th 2020, 2:05 PM

    Ms Martin is doing women of ability a disservice, all appointments should be on merit ,

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    Mute Liz O'Neill
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:10 PM

    With Tourism, Sport, Arts, Old Uncle Tom Cobleigh ‘n all to deal with, I suggest she knuckles down and gets on with the job in hand.
    Gender quotas are an important conversation, but right now we have to make this country fit for purpose after all the damage the Covid crisis has caused. After all, there are plenty of women working in hotels, engaged in sport and performing in the Arts….

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    Mute Michael Byrne
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    Jul 8th 2020, 12:28 PM

    Another teacher maybe, jaysus.

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    Mute pat seery
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:08 PM

    A comment to get Headlines

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    Mute Rúraíocht
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:49 PM

    I am really bored.

    We have equality. It’s the law.

    You don’t want positive discrimination.

    Cease the day.

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    Mute Tom Dineen
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    Jul 8th 2020, 1:09 PM

    Sit down Catherine quick lol

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    Mute Thomas Sheridan
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    Jul 8th 2020, 3:41 PM

    About half the electorate are women who are free to vote in block for women Canadians and I would be delighted to see more women in cabinet provided they got there on merit

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    Mute Eugene Comaskey
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    Jul 8th 2020, 4:06 PM

    Now She’s at it, How in Gods name could a Government last or succeed with a Loose Cannon like that around the place, never mind LEADING any party. This Charade of Government hasn’t chance . What a bunch of Wally’s the Greens are.

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    Mute Ed
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    Jul 8th 2020, 5:44 PM

    50% of elected green party female TD’s given a ministers pay cheque sounds pretty good to me. Catherine Martin is making an issue where one isn’t.

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    Mute Manuel Moreira
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    Jul 8th 2020, 4:45 PM

    Who cares?!
    People must be appointed based on merit not gender

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    Mute Michael MC Evoy
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    Jul 9th 2020, 8:40 AM

    Does she mean irrespective of suitability???

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