Wouldn't consider myself her biggest fan politically, but when it comes to expertise within the Labour Party surely after 9 years as spokeperson she carries a far better CV than Brendan Howlin?
And then there's Ruairí Quinn comment that “women know more about children than men because they spend more time with them” regarding Frances Fitzgerald. As pointed out in the [broken link removed], there's more women in the teaching profession, so who got Education? Women are the primary users of health care, so who got Health? Etc, etc.
In the main I do think there are some good choices to the cabinet and junior roles, but within a few days we're facing the same old boys club as we always faced. Jobs for the boys and not jobs based on ability.
Even Lucinda Creighton gets handed a good role for Europe, a role she has experience and knowledge in, but the appointment is marred by an FG spokesperson who also has add the caveat "the party was also conscious of gender balance" on her appointment. Basically, we needed a token woman.
I don't care about gender balance I care about competency to do a role, yet both sides display the FF mentality of "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours".
And despite my first statement regarding Joan politically, she is the most competent of all her colleagues for that role and I actually think it would have been interesting if not successful her working under/alongside Noonan.
So there we are, it seems only the blokes are capable of sorting out the economic mess and the women can deal with the silly domestic stuff like kids and child benefit. I'm surprised the didn't introduce a Minister for Stick The Kettle On Love, There's A Dear And Ironing Portfolio.
And then there's Ruairí Quinn comment that “women know more about children than men because they spend more time with them” regarding Frances Fitzgerald. As pointed out in the [broken link removed], there's more women in the teaching profession, so who got Education? Women are the primary users of health care, so who got Health? Etc, etc.
In the main I do think there are some good choices to the cabinet and junior roles, but within a few days we're facing the same old boys club as we always faced. Jobs for the boys and not jobs based on ability.
Even Lucinda Creighton gets handed a good role for Europe, a role she has experience and knowledge in, but the appointment is marred by an FG spokesperson who also has add the caveat "the party was also conscious of gender balance" on her appointment. Basically, we needed a token woman.
I don't care about gender balance I care about competency to do a role, yet both sides display the FF mentality of "scratch my back and I'll scratch yours".
And despite my first statement regarding Joan politically, she is the most competent of all her colleagues for that role and I actually think it would have been interesting if not successful her working under/alongside Noonan.
So there we are, it seems only the blokes are capable of sorting out the economic mess and the women can deal with the silly domestic stuff like kids and child benefit. I'm surprised the didn't introduce a Minister for Stick The Kettle On Love, There's A Dear And Ironing Portfolio.