A graphic outlining the number of females on State-funded sports boards in yesterday’s Irish Times

What a load of codswallop. The proposal by Minister of State for Sport Patrick O’Donovan that 30 per cent of senior positions in Irish sporting organisations must be held by women within the next few years is poorly thought out.

First, he talks about fairness and equality, but then plucks that 30 per cent figure out of the air. The number of women participating in and involved in the administration of the various sports differs greatly.

Rather than a random figure of 30 per cent, the number of women in senior positions should be proportionate to their numbers in a particular sport.

Second, and more importantly, the Minister and his colleagues should perhaps put their own house in order before meddling in the affairs of sporting organisations. The population of Ireland is 50.1 per cent female, yet only 22 per cent of TDs are women.

I would take Mr O’Donovan’s proposal seriously if he achieved fairness and equality in Dáil Éireann and led the sporting organisations by example, rather than indulging in publicity stunts.

Donal McAuliffe,
Dublin 6W.

Gender quotas for boards of sports organisations (The Irish Times letters)