New Mayor’s ‘childbirth’ comments come back to haunt him

Dublin’s newly elected Lord Mayor has been criticised for comments he made about gender quotas in an opinion article he wrote for Northside People five years ago.

Cllr Tom Brabazon (FF) was confirmed as the new Lord Mayor of Dublin last night to replace Paul McAuliffe, who was recently elected as a TD. However, past controversial comments re-emerged yesterday in advance of a Dublin City Council meeting.

Cllr Brabazon caused outrage in 2015 when he criticised legislation bringing in gender quotas. In an article for Northside People in 2015, he wrote: "We should want real women with real life experience of the education system, the workplace, childbirth, childcare, managing money in tight situations and general life."

There was widespread criticism of his comments at the time. Cllr Brabazon later said that he regretted some of the language used but stood over his opposition to gender quotas. However, he told a national newspaper this week that he no longer holds this view.

People Before Profit councillors Tina MacVeigh and Hazel deNortuin expressed their “disgust and dismay” at Cllr Brabazon's election as Lord Mayor at last night's meeting of Dublin City Council.

Cllr MacVeigh said: 'I don't think it is acceptable for Cllr Brabazon to have said that he regretted those remarks. It speaks to a fundamental attitude to women and their role in society generally as well as their role in politics.”

Cllr Brabazon, who represents the Donaghmede area, will serve as Lord Mayor until the end of June.