Features

Labour's Women TDs and Senators

Liz in Wicklow

Liz is the only woman TD in Wicklow

Roisin getting Dublin moving

Roisin Shortall TD doing what she does - gets to know what is happening on the ground

Phil with people as always

Senator Phil Prendergast is a new member of the Parliamentary Labor Party

Jan's warm appeal

Jan O'Sullivan TD is one of the most popular Labour TDs

Mary - strong voice for Dublin South Central.

Mary Upton TD is not only smart but hard-working as well

Thumbs up for Joan!

Joan Burton with Cllr Patrick Nulty (left)

Kathleen vocal on Breast check

Kathleen Lynch has been a strong voice for the women in Cork North Central. With her flaming red hair, boundless energy and a strong drive Kathleen is a woman like no other.

Joanna in the outdoors

Joanna Tuffy TD meets the people of Lucan, Clondalkin and Palmerstown while enjoying the sun.

Senator Ivana Bacik

Senator Ivana Bacik has an impressive record on a wide number of issues

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Joan Burton TD Interview : "My job is to identify wrongs and do something about them"

• Joan in her day-to-day work launching a party document

Joan became a Councillor in the Council Elections of 1991 and was first elected to the Dáil in 1992. She represents Dublin West which covers areas such as Castleknock, Blanchardstown, Mulhuddart and Tyrrellstown. She has become known as one of the hardest-working TDs in our Dail. Unusually, she holds the brief of Finance which is not generally associated with women. Her office in the Dail is full of reports, letters, information folders and reminders to herself. Her workload is obvious, yet she always takes time to talk to people. Her approach to her work is good mix of legislative work and keeping connected to the real world.

As she sits in her office she kicks off her shoes and sips at her cup of tea. She has a tendency to be interested in people's opinions which makes her slightly lean towards those she is talking to. It is clear she is a communicator. And it is clear she loves to talk about her constituency.

"Dublin West is the fastest growing area in Ireland, the recent Census showed a population increase of 25% to over 90,000 people. As such, there is always something new happening in Dublin West, it's a very vibrant area though the rapid growth has created many challenges for the local community", Joan describes her area. Her area is one of those which were identified as having too few TDs in relation to the size of the population, which is an indicator of the massive change in her area.

Joan outlines some of her priorities for women living in Dublin West :
"Public transport is a crucial issue for women and families living in Dublin West. Commuting is a fact of life and there is a lot that needs to be done for residents of Dublin West to cut commuting times and improve family life. I want to see new buses using environmentally friendly fuels being ordered and additional bus priority lanes put in place. The timetable for Spencer-Dock - Heuston interconnector must be accelerated so that the Maynooth line and the Clonsilla Dunboyne spur can be upgraded to full Dart services. The metro needs to be built on schedule."

Joan has been very vocal about the lack of school places for children in Dublin West. She intensely feels the parents' frustration, and speaks about the families' needs with a passion. "School places and overcrowding in schools is a huge issue for families in Dublin West. The government has not responded to the dramatic increase in population in the area, with disastrous results for children in Dublin 15. We need smaller class sizes in primary school, new secondary schools, and funds for the refurbishment of existing schools."

"Healthcare and Childcare are two other major issues for women in Dublin West. I have worked with staff in Connolly hospital to improve facilities and patient services. I am also involved in campaigns to increase the number of community Gardai on patrol", Joan says. Despite her compassionate nature Joan has a determination that shines through her words. One feels this woman in Government could really get things done.

What does Joan want for women in Ireland?
"Decent affordable reliable childcare has to be the number one priority for mothers of young children. The Labour Party is proposing one year of annual leave for parents to ensure full time parental care for a child's first year and the development of the pre-school system as has happened in most of Europe."

"There is also a real lack of community facilities, sporting facilities and playgrounds in the Dublin West area. I think it is a crucial part of building community life to have space and facilities for people to relax on their time off, in their own area."

As one of the few women in the Dail Joan has seen what women can bring into politics. Her ability to connect with people has made it easy for her to interact with the people of her area. In the Dail chamber Joan has shown how competent, passionate and knowledgeable women are. "Currently I am the Labour Party Spokesperson on Finance and I think that as an accountant and a mother I bring a new perspective to this role. I think empathy is a hugely important quality in a politician, as much of the job is about identifying wrongs and inequalities and addressing them through political action", Joan says.

What would Joan like to say to the women of Dublin West?
"Register to vote and get politically active. Get out there and help campaign for

-more funding for Dublin West schools,
-better infrastructure so that Dublin West residents don't spend their lives commuting
-more funding for Connolly hospital that provides such an excellent service for Dublin West residents."

Joan is an exceptionally able woman who understands how women live. We need someone like her to work for women, someone who stays in touch with the women in her community but also has the ability to legislate, lead and work for women.

• Joan knows and understand the issues women in her area live with. She has been pushing for a women's refuge to be built in Dublin 15. This is the identified site of the refuge.

Joan in Person

• How would you describe yourself in a couple of words?

Tough, dedicated, hard-working, sense of humour

• How do you like to relax?

I find reading and gardening are the best way to relax and forget about the stresses and strains of political life. I love the cinema and try to go twice a month.

• Which woman/women do you admire?

My mother, who died in 1969.

• Favourite food

Roast Lamb would be my first choice for a family dinner.

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Senator Phil Prendergast Interview: "Women want quality of life"

• Phil in her element, surrounded by people

If you look out of the kitchen window in Phil Prendergast's home, you will see the green hills of Tipperary rising up surprisingly high. Phil likes to have a cup of tea where she can see the hills.
"The best thing about Clonmel are the warm, welcoming people. But right after that comes the beautiful scenery", Phil says. She has been living in Clonmel for over 20 years. During that time she has seen the changes that have taken place in Tipperary South, fuelled by the economic growth.

But economic growth is also a myth.
"The biggest issue for women in Clonmel and around Tipperary South is the cost of living. Childcare, groceries, gas and electricity - it all costs so much. People's budgets simply don't stretch that far. When the winter sets in, it will be tough for many families to get by. Then there are the added pressures our children face when they feel they are expected to have all the things other young people have."
"Women are also worried by anti-social behaviour and crime. They fear for their children, families and communities. Women don't want crime, they don't generally commit crime and yet they have to suffer from crime."

Phil worries about Breast Check still not having reached Tipperary South.
"Breast cancer and cervical cancer are killers if not caught early. Breast cancer is by far the most common cancer in women (28%), but if caught early chances of survival are good. Survival rate is at present 77% which, however, is lower than European average. Screening is effective in reducing mortality rates - women in Tipperary South are still at a disadvantage as they have no Breast Check screening. Survival rates for cervical cancer are also lower than European average. We must also note that women from disadvantaged areas have higher rates of cervical cancer - is this because they cannot afford to have smear tests?"

Phil could list a number of things Irish women deserve.
"I want women to be valued as much as the men are. Pay gap of 15% still exists. Caring work is undervalued and underpaid, parental leave is a luxury as only those who can afford it can take it, women in home duties need support and the human side of parenting needs to be supported more."
Phil is a working mother who has combined work with family life. She works as a midwife and has raised two teenage boys with her husband.
"Families are our future. I want our children to have memories where their parents have work but are also present in their lives. Parents give their children the tools they need for life, therefore by supporting the parents we are supporting the future."

Phil's background in health care gave her the motivation to enter politics. Her involvement in hospital management prompted her to enter local politics.
"I work in health care and know it from the inside. As a Councillor I am in constant contact with people and hear their concerns. It may be come as a surprise but 10-15% of the queries I get when I am out and about are pregnancy or gynaecologically related - do male Councillors know this? "
There are other things male Councillors don't know.
"I wonder if I am the only Councillor in the history to talk about sex education! I give talks to girls' schools and I tell it like it is. I do feel that schools need facilitators, as parents and teachers are not always in a position to talk about sex education, or they feel awkward about it. The girls and I have a very good relationship, and they are free to contact me if they have any questions - as they do. "

Irish politics is still male-dominated. What does a woman bring into politics?
"Recognition of what it is like to juggle responsibilities. Women are capable of dealing with the same issues as men are, but they often see more than just facts. Take planning, for example. A woman politician can see people using infrastructure, rather than just looking at car volumes or housing volumes. I do feel women have a human approach."

"When you work with women for a long time you see different phases of women's lives. You also go through milestones and phases yourself, and each milestone teaches you more. Women are experts in their own lives, and in politics we have to use that expertise."
"Women want quality of life. A summer off while the children are off, for example, is a quality of life issue that women value. Valuable things are the basic things : children, families, health, education, housing, safety. That's it."

Phil Prendergast is an impressive woman with determination and common sense that is needed in politics at national level. She pulls no punches, and says it as it is. She will promote Clonmel and Tipperary South like no one else, and she is planning to do it from the Dail. Women of Tipperary South will have a strong voice.

• Phil and Liz McManus are part of the strong team of women Labour Representatives

Phil in Person

• How would you describe yourself in a couple of words?

Good-humoured, outgoing, a people-person.

• How do you like to relax?

I like to go for walks, in town in the evening is especially nice. I use a gym and like to read.

• Which women do you admire?

I admire Liz McManus TD Spokesperson for Health, and Kathleen Lynch TD Spokesperson for Equality and Consumer Affairs. I also admire Mother Theresa who achieved so much. I admire women who have led or made a difference, for example Mary Robinson or Mary McAleese.

• Favourite food?

Spicy food.

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Join Labour Women

Do you ever think that you too have something to say? That Ireland is going one way and you are going the other? Maybe you have a small baby and wish you could have some good adult conversation. Or perhaps your children are in school and you would like to do something about the many things that bug you. You may be busy with your career, but have a feeling you would like to talk about politics, women's lives and what is happening to us. Perhaps you have entered the 3rd Age and feel you have more to give than ever before.
Do you feel that you are a thinking women but that there is no outlet for your thoughts? That there must be someone who is also interested in discussing, debating and offering solutions.
Join Labour Women and become active. Joining a political party will be more rewarding if you decide to take an active part in it. In Labour Women you can join our group and highlight issues you would like our elected representatives to take note of. You can push an issue you feel is important. You can attend events that are informative and interesting. You can bring your thoughts in.
Join Labour Women and be part of shaping the future!