The presidency may now seem like a female preserve but the SIPTU vice-presidential election shows that women still have a long battle for equality, not least in the trade union movement. For the first time there were two women in a contest for high office in Ireland's largest union and sources in Liberty Hall tell Quidnunc that many women voted 1 and 2 for equality officer, Noirin Greene and Waterford shopfloor worker Carolann Duggan. However, one stronghold of male chauvinism remained almost impervious to the appeal of female candidates. Of 1,600 votes cast by the Dublin construction branch 1,595 went to the winner, Des Geraghty and the remaining five to Ms Greene.
The count itself had all the trappings of the RDS, complete with crash barriers, tally persons and even John Sheridan of Dublin Corporation, who has graced many a Dail and Seanad election as returning officer. His next gig will be the presidential contest when he will oversee the Dublin count.