WITH THE ATTENTION paid to Joan Burton’s appointment to the ministerial cabinet, it perhaps comes as no surprise that new Taoiseach Enda Kenny has appointed four female TDs amongst his 15-strong junior ministerial team.

Mr Kenny announced the names yesterday before going to Brussels to meet with the president of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso.

Deputy Lucinda Creighton, who has been a critic of Mr Kenny in the past, was appointed as Minister of State for European Affairs.

Róisín Shorthall has been appointed to Primary Health Care; Jan O’Sullivan to Development Aid and Trade; and Kathleen Lynch to Disability, Equality and Mental Health.

Speaking on RTE Radio One’s Today with Pat Kenny show this morning, Deputy Creighton discounted the suggestion she received the role based on her gender.

When asked by Mr Kenny if it was possible she and the other female ministers were “scooped in at the last minute to make the numbers”, she replied:

I hope and believe that I have achieved it on the basis of merit, background and a proven track record.

I certainly hope I am there on my ability.

It is being reported today that female Labour party members are to write to their party leader, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore, expressing their concern over the appointments, the Irish Examiner reports.

Katherine Dunne, chair of Labour Women told the newspaper:

The stereotypically female roles have gone to the women. Not to do down that roles, they are caring and children, we should have moved on from that now.

Read more in today’s Irish Examiner>