Dealing with everyday sexism in Leinster House
ToggleBy Claire McGing, Social Sciences Institute, Department of Geography
The global #metoo movement has shone a light on sexual harassment and gender-based violence as experienced by women in all sectors, including the formal political system. A new study by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) shows that gender-based sexism, harassment and violence against women representatives and parliamentary staff is widespread in parliaments across Europe.
When the high levels of bullying and sexual harassment in the House of Commons emerged, which was culturally "tolerated and concealed", there was some discussion as to whether Leinster House was ‘as bad’ as the British Parliament. The general consensus was that while examples of "everyday sexism" do exist in the Irish parliament, women representatives and staff do not work in a culture as hostile to women as their British counterparts do. Of course, we simply do not know the full extent of bullying, sexism and sexual harassment in Leinster House. Like all workplaces, particularly those where gender power arrangements are asymmetrical in favour of men and cultural masculinity, the Irish parliament is not immune to this sort of behaviour.
Beyond sexist language, there have also been examples of unwanted and inappropriate advances
There have been a number of recorded incidents of sexist language in Leinster House over the years. Some will argue that such comments are part of the "hustle and bustle" of parliamentary politics, but gender-based comments are nearly always directed by men towards women. In 1992, taoiseach Albert Reynolds famously responded to heckling from Fine Gael TD Nora Owen with a phrase that garnered some controversy: "sure that’s women for you".
18 years later, another Fianna Fáil taoiseach Brian Cowen had to apologise to Labour TD Joan Burton after asking her party leader Eamon Gilmore to "try and rein her in now and again" during a heated exchange. Burton herself made reference to Reynolds’ remarks about Owen. In 2011, independent TD Mick Wallace apologised after been recorded in the Dáil describing Fine Gael’s Mary Mitchell-O’Connor as "Miss Piggy". During the Seanad abolition referendum, Senator David Norris was widely condemned for saying that Fine Gael TD Regina Doherty was "speaking out of her fanny". Norris withdrew the comments, but did not apologise.
Minister of State at the Department of Education Mary Mitchell-O'Connor
This is just a sample of the sexist language used to describe Irish women representatives in the course of their parliamentary duties. It is difficult to imagine male TDs or Senators being at the receiving end of such comments. Criticisms of individual politicians are normal in parliamentary debate (e.g. about somebody’s ideology or track record), but discourse that targets or humiliates women representatives based solely on gender is not acceptable and reflects badly on our democracy. Women should not have to ‘just put up with it’ or ‘grow a thick skin’ (as they are often advised) to be in politics. Such behaviour may also have the effect of turning other women off entering politics.
Beyond sexist language, there have also been examples of unwanted and inappropriate advances. During a late-night debate on the 2013 Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill, Fine Gael TD Tom Barry pulled fellow Cork TD Aine Collins onto his lap in the chamber. Collins accepted Barry’s apology (and Barry offered to resign from Fine Gael), but the scene that became known as "lapgate" was widely condemned as sexist and unfitting of parliamentary behaviour and placed a spotlight on late-night sittings of the house.
RTÉ Political Correspondent Martina Fitzgerald’s excellent new book "Madam Politician: The Women A The Table Of Irish Political Power" draws on interviews with all living women cabinet ministers in Irish history (and the two women presidents). It reveals incidents that were previously unknown to the general public.
Former senator, Fine Gael TD and cabinet minister Gemma Hussey recalls how Taoiseach Charlie Haughey pulled her bra strap during a Dáil debate on rape. As an independent member of Seanad Éireann, Hussey introduced a private members’ bill that attempted (unsuccessfully) to radically change the definition of rape in criminal law. As the senator observed proceedings in the Dáil, she felt someone tug at her bra strap from behind; when she turned around, it was the Fianna Fáil leader and Taoiseach who told her not to "worry" about her Bill.
Former Labour Party TD and cabinet minister Niamh Breathnach tells Fitzgerald about having to deal with what she calls "macho bullying", including a drunk male TD who shoved her and banged her head against the wall. A colleague advised her to "forget about it" – she still hasn’t.
The IPU/PACE and HOC reports show that sexist language and sexual harassment does not just affect women representatives but all women who work in the parliamentary space. Few stories have come to light about women staff and journalists in Leinster House, but the Oireachtas authorities carried out an investigation following an incident between Fianna Fáil TD Liam Aylward and a woman usher outside the bar in 1998. Alyward apologised to the woman. Fianna Fáil TD Ned O’Keeffe apologised to RTE Political Correspondent Úna Claffey for an incident, also at the Dáil bar.
As representatives of the people, parliaments should lead the way for other workplaces in becoming fully inclusive and welcoming places for all genders
There are the stories that have come to light – and those that remain hidden.The Irish Women's Parliamentary Caucus has pushed for an independent survey on bullying, harassment and sexual harassment for everyone who works in Leinster House, which is currently being costed by the Oireachtas Commission. The Oireachtas also plans to launch a Dignity and Respect policy with an associated helpline.
This is welcome news and the survey will facilitate a better understanding of the levels of sexism, bullying and harassment in our national parliament, as experienced by all representatives and staff and particularly women in such a male-gendered space. As representatives of the people, parliaments should lead the way for other workplaces in becoming fully inclusive and welcoming places for all genders.