Editorial: Politics and ministerial dominion beyond the Pale
Mary Butler, who was appointed Government Chief Whip by Taoiseach Micheál Martin.
Politics is a tough game. No one can envy the past number of weeks as Fianna Fáil's Mary Butler hung on the hope of securing a senior ministerial position for Waterford. We can only surmise the conversations and negotiations that took place along the corridors of power.
Ultimately, though, as the dust settles on last week's announcements, with the cabinet now fully declared for the next term of Government, it is a disappointing outcome for the hard-working Portlaw woman.
Chief Whip sounds prestigious. It puts Mary Butler at the top table. But the reality is that she is more of a bystander now, with no vote at cabinet, and a side-line Minister of State role with responsibility for mental health. It cannot be shined up into anything more.
Yes, she got to pose in the official photographs alongside Taoiseach Micheál Martin, President Michael D. Higgins, all the senior ministers, and 'super junior' Hildegarde Naughton of Fine Gael.
Mr Martin could of course have taken an entirely different course of action. Despite the fact that only seven women were elected out of 48 Fianna Fáil TDs, he could have led by example. Rather than double down on the same old, same old, by appointing a cabinet dominated by men, he could have elevated Mary Butler and other women to accompany now sole Fianna Fáil female Senior Minister Norma Foley.
Fine Gael didn't do much better in its equality of purpose, with only two female senior ministers among its ranks - with a 'super junior' position going to Ms Naughton, perhaps to improve the visuals in that same photograph already mentioned, though, again, no voting rights at cabinet.
The well-known phrase, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results," comes to mind.
One wonders at the subliminal impact of such decisions by men, such as Taoiseach Martin and Tánaiste Simon Harris, who hold the ultimate power and influence in the Ireland of 2025.
What does it say to women considering entering politics? What does it say to those exercising their vote? What does it say to striving to achieve equality of male and female voices and viewpoints in critical decision-making?
The glass ceiling has been upgraded to the more durable double-glazed variety with the view up through it disturbingly clear.
Meanwhile, on his first venture as a TD, John Cummins of Fine Gael has enjoyed immediate elevation to the junior ministerial ranks as Minister of State in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. There is no doubt he has earned his stripes, having worked assiduously, both as a Senator and during negotiations ahead of the formation of this government.
Together in Government, Mary Butler and John Cummins, despite their differing party colours, do offer some hope of a collegiality of purpose in furthering Waterford's interests.
Representing Ireland's fifth and oldest city, it was in the hands of those at the top of government to properly reflect the importance of this at cabinet. Across the estuary in Wexford, no doubt newly elevated Minister for Housing James Browne is delighting in the maintenance of the male-dominated status quo.
It is now up to the South East's Senior Ministers, Ministers of State, and Senators - and we wish Joe Conway, a wise and able politician the very best on his elevation to the Upper House - to work together for the greater good of our region, so that it can flourish beyond the shadow of the Pale.
