Mary White (Fianna Fail)

—that nobody is stopping women contesting elections, but I see the abolition of the dual mandate as an opportunity for women.

As I said, I am not a councillor so it is easy for me to speak. However, I would like to see women rise to the challenge because there will be approximately 123 vacancies which women could seek to fill. I agree with Senator Bannon that nobody is stopping women contesting elections, but unless one is very strong-minded, putting one's self forward in a male dominated arena is very difficult. If a woman is demure and is not too pushy, she is regarded as having admirable qualities. My assistant provided me with an article from the Irish Independent today which says I am not all sweetness and light, that I am awful and that I am the most unpopular person in the Seanad.