Madam Politician: The women at the table of Irish political power

by Martina Fitzgerald

Only 10 per cent of those who have sat at the cabinet table in Ireland in almost 100 years have been women, totalling just 19 female politicians. Along with the two former female presidents of Ireland, all of the living members of this exclusive club are interviewed here for the first time, collectively bringing together their voices to reveal the challenges and triumphs of getting to the top table of Irish political life.

The interviewees are Mary Robinson, Mary McAleese, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, Gemma Hussey, Mary O’Rourke, Nora Owen, Niamh Bhreathnach, Mary Harney, Síle de Valera, Mary Coughlan, Mary Hanafin, Joan Burton, Frances Fitzgerald, Jan O’Sullivan, Heather Humphreys, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Katherine Zappone, Regina Doherty and Josepha Madigan.

From the battles to have their voices heard to balancing a career with family life, dealing with various levels of sexism and an enduring focus on appearance, their personal stories are dramatic, colourful and inspiring. In opening up about how they secured a place at the top table of political life, these women give us remarkable insights into a changing Ireland.

Genres: Nonfiction, Irish Literature, Feminism, Politics

245 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 12, 2018

Reviews

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating and frustrating read. It is basically a knitting together of interviews of most of the, shamefully, small number of women who have been senior ministers or president of Ireland.

There is not a lot of analysis, it's not that kind of book, but what analysis is there is rather patchy.

Still the book vividly shows how slow the changes change in gender balance in Irish politics have begun to accelerate but also of how much is still to be done.

[Angelique · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable, clear and straightforward to read. It’s a shame that in the last election there were only .5% more women voted in. I enjoyed reading about Zappone being unapologetic about her sexuality. But thought that sometimes these politicians couldn’t see sexism for what it is. And with O’Rourke not being a fan of quotas, it’s like she doesn’t understand that before there was a near 100% quota of men. I think there’s been incredible movement in Ireland because of women politicians, whether or not they were related to political dynasties. Which while bemusing, it’s not necessarily surprising that you tend to do what the people around you do. There was the basic what it’s like to be a woman existing, which no woman is free of, which wasn’t surprising. But Charles Haughy snapping Hussey’s bra shocked me. I’d hate to think of the stories not written in here and not told.

Fitzgerald did a fab job of organising the interviews. The only thing I’ll say, is that the intro and the conclusion aren’t solely that. The introduction gets right into it, while the conclusion talks about repeal, the 2015 referendum and the hateful religious characters, among other things.

It’s highly readable and is a baptism into fire for me, as there are blind spots in my understanding of politics in the south. It makes me wanna read Mary McAleese’s book and the more I read about Mary Robinson, the more I like her. I liked looking up Bertie Ahern’s anorak and Varadkar’s gym clothes, as it’s weirdly satisfying to have men have that attention. I do wonder if there’s a way to not have politicians work so hard and so much and would read a book about that. There’s a good deal of work to be done to have a larger cultural shift to implement policies for a fairer Ireland.

[Ellen Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madam Politician: The women at the table of Irish political power.
A book for political nerds like me. 17 of the 19 women to have served at Cabinet, and both women to have served as President of Ireland, were interviewed for this book. It is full of interesting stories about the inner workers of Leinster House. It also shows how much harder women in politics, regardless of party, have had to work to get to the top of the field.
One interesting comment from one of the interviewees was very telling; "Nobody is writing about the number of women who have come to Leinster House and only served one term.".
An interesting read made even more so because most of the names are one's I had grown up hearing about on the news. I have never read a book where so many Irish politicians from different political parties were interviewed for the same project. Martina Fitzgerald has a journalistic writing style that is easy to read. Flew through this in one weekend. Highly recommend.

[Garrett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than expected! I thought this would turn into an Irish history book, incorporating politics and feminism, but it is so much more. The journalist's perspective is refreshing compared to a normal author, as Martina Fitzgerald is able to contrast various female politicians across different events - and even different political parties - yet still find some common threads between them. Regardless of party affiliation, the year, or the political issue of the day, women face systemic issues both accessing politics, and when they are an active part of it. From the TDs, to the ministers, to the former presidents of Ireland, this book offers a fantastic perspective towards the role that gender discrimination plays, from the point-of-view of those women who battle harmful stereotypes every day.

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting review of the shamefully small number of women who have entered the Dail since the foundation of the State and what, if any, barriers and/or problems they have faced in their political careers.

[Edel Crummey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent book but a bit depressing to realise how far we have yet to travel in the road to equality. Some of the stats were scary. And some of the stories rang so true for all walks of life. Gender quotas essential to tip the balance. Well written

[Aisling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very insightful read

[Clodagh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such an interesting read, makes me so grateful for all the women who fought for our place in Irish Politics!

[Noel F · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect history of the experience of women at the heart of the Irish political system.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, eye opening, enraging and important . I'd recommend this to anyone

[Paul McCormack · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great topic but maybe tried to fit a bit much in. Good have been longer and allowed more depth

[AnneMarie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Interesting subject matter and a few enlightening anecdotes but the book suffered because Fitzgerald is a broadcaster and not a natural writer. It could have done with a good editor to make the text flow and form together a bit better. At times it reads more like a college essay than a book.