Cullen urged to cease inappropriate use of female models

Sinn Féin spokesperson on the Environment, Heritage and Local Government Arthur Morgan TD has questioned Minister Martin Cullen on the inappropriate practice employed by his Department of using models in promotions for public information campaigns.

Morgan said he raised this issue with the Minister because on a number of occasions he has used female models in promotions for public information campaigns. "I am concerned that this is sending out the wrong message altogether," he said. "Rather than encouraging the participation of women in politics and decision-making, it is merely presenting women as an ornament in a campaign being launched by a male member of government.

"Are young women in this state going to be encouraged to become involved in decision-making from this type of antics? I do not think so.

"The Minister is in a position of responsibility and ought to know better. There is absolutely no justification for spending taxpayers' money so wastefully for such an improper purpose."

The Minister's reply, said Morgan, was typically evasive and did not in any way address the central concern which he raised in relation to the inappropriate nature of the practice.