Madam, - Noel Whelan (Opinion & Analysis, July 21st) feels the time has come to consider positive discrimination to increase women's representation in politics. Susan Philips (July 24th) on the other hand, thinks the suggestion is "patronising". I myself feel that it is in all our interests that more women are elected to the Dáil, Seanad and European Parliament. Therefore I agree with Noel Whelan.
The first and most convincing case to be made for increasing women's representation in politics is that it is inefficient to marginalise the talents and perspectives of more than 50 per cent of the population from our principal decision-making forums. That is a societal and not just a women's issue. Secondly, as women constitute a mere 12 per cent of the Dáil, it can be argued that women's interests are grossly and unjustly under-represented.
The facts do not seem to support Susan Philips's statement that "the main reasons there are fewer female elected representatives. . .is not because they do not do well in elections". The experts tell us that the average woman candidate received 600 fewer votes than the average male candidate in the 2002 election. It will be interesting to find out if that has improved in the recent election.
A voluntary decision by political parties to introduce a minimum quota of women candidates would give voters an opportunity to elect more women. This would make our democracy both more efficient and more representative. It worked in the Nordic countries. There is no reason why it would not work here. - Yours, etc,
A LEAVY, Shielmartin Drive, Dublin 13.