MINISTER OF STATE Kathleen Lynch said she does not believe Leinster House is a sexist workplace.

“Any workplace is sexist and I don’t necessarily attribute all that to men… I think women can be as pass remarkable,” the Minister of State with responsibility for health and disabilities told TheJournal.ie.

She said when it comes to the women in Leinster House “they are usually fairly able… This might be a gross exaggeration, but those that I’ve met are usually able to deal with difficult situations.”

When asked if she felt welcome in government buildings Lynch said she didn’t think any politician did:

Lynch also told this website how “really upset” the Taoiseach was about making a remark about her hair.

Last year, at a conference intended to encourage women to enter politics, Enda Kenny said Lynch was a “doughty fighter” with “flaming red hair”.

The Minister of State with responsibility for health and disabilities said she was not at all offended by the comments and said she didn’t even hear Kenny make them.

Lynch has also finally “come to terms” with her red hair after “a battle for years” trying to straighten it and turn it “strawberry blonde as opposed to foxy” she laughed:

- Camera and editing by Michelle Hennessey

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