Members of the Oireachtas delegation to Iran last week atre pictured above: Deputies Monica Barnes, Cecilia Keaveney and Mary Hanafin with Fatemah Hashmi, director of social and internal affairs in the Iranian foreign ministry. The trio had to don Islamic gear before they left the plane at Teheran and keep it on for the duration. They found the costume difficult and uncomfortable - the headscarf kept slipping - and not being allowed shake hands with a man was hard. Even Martin Smyth from the Justice, Equality and Womens' Rights committee who accompanied them, had to dine with the men when the sexes were segregated for the banquet in honour of the Irish. The three deputies had an intensive round of meetings with womens' groups, minority groups, environmental groups, community groups and NGO - all female. While it was a fascinating experience they found the pace, the formality and the restrictions gruelling. Monica Barnes, as leader, says she tapped the driver on the arm on one occasion and he drew away whenever he opened the door again. Cecilia Keaveney said it was very hard to eat while holding your scarf and it's not a place for holidays. Mary Hanafin found it 20 years behind us in some ways and 10 years behind in others. They wrote a poem about it all. Here is one verse:
Three women TDs in Iran They couldn't shake hands with a man
Wore a scarf on their head
From rising 'til bed;
T'is a long way from the coru to the Koran.