The ail Government is a year old and the 84 Club, which set off with much enthusiasm at the beginning of the last Dail as a mechanism for highlighting women's issues and increasing the number of women in both houses - 84 being half the 166 Dail seats has been revived. Mary Wallace and Mary Henry, the chair and vice chair, have been replaced by Frances FitzGerald and Marian McGennis, whose first function was a presentation to retiring US ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith in Leinster House this week.
Most, but not all Oireachtas women joined - Tanaiste Mary Harney was a noticeable dissenter in the last Dail and will be one again. The group has held a number of breakfast meetings to discuss women's issues and now aims to get more women running in next year's local and European elections. Senator Kathleen O'Meara, aware of the long and often unhealthy hours kept by Oireachtas members, intends organising a walking club when the House returns in the autumn so members can get out during breaks between votes. And she is not talking about a few trots around Stephen's Green.
However, little concrete has been achieved over the years. Proof is the fact that top of the agenda still, as in 1992, is the matter of an Oireachtas creche. Despite numerous meetings, promises and ultimatums, it still does not exist. Deputy FitzGerald says the junior Minister at Finance, Martin Cullen, has promised it will be factored into the new building. But, unfortunately, it is not on the plans.