PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 1st 2005

Contact: Mr. Liam Ó Gógaín 087-2543997
Mr. Alan Beirne 086-8514866

Meath Bye-Election independent Candidate CALLS FOR THE APPOINTMENT OF A MINISTER FOR MEN

Liam O Gogain the father’s rights campaigner today called for the Government to appoint a Miniser for Men. The new Minister’s portfolio would include Men’s health, Fatherhood, underachievement of boys in education, men and suicide, retired men, men in crime, juvenile male delinquency, men in poverty etc. Speaking in Trim Co. Meath where Mr. O Gogain was canvassing as an Independent candidate in the forthcoming Meath bye election he said that men and boys were treated as second class citizens in Irish society today. While enormous changes have occurred to the nature of work, of society and of family, the male perspective has been excluded from policy making.

“Men contribute the greater proportion of taxes in Ireland and yet their human needs are disregarded. Apart from Equality and human rights, It makes good sustainable business sense to support and respond to the needs of the most productive economic units in society” said Mr. O Gogain. “Just look at the dreadful statistics for deaths on the road, industrial accidents, the unacceptable high level of male suicide, the level of fatherless families and the discriminatory treatment of fathers by the family law courts” said Liam. He further stated that if Women in Irish society were treated in a similar vain then there would be calls for Public Inquiries and tribunals into this disgraceful treatment of one half of the Irish population.

The present linear structure of government departments is not flexible enough to respond to men’s issues and the attempts at a “multi-agency” approach produces ineffective, sluggish and piece meal results. The minister for Men would have responsibility for researching specifically Men’s experiences from men’s perspectives; identifying men’s needs, resource requirements, the effectiveness of representation of men’s viewpoint, obstacles facing men, etc. in the various areas outlined below. Whilst the areas affecting men’s lives presently come under various departments the Minister for Men would act in a cross departmental role to ensure that men can effectively access resources and services specific to their male needs and designed and approved by, with and for men. The Minister, by successfully harnessing facilities and shaping services and legislation to accommodate men’s realities would serve the greater good by increasing men’s ongoing effectiveness and contributing to Sustainable Society.” Mr. O Gogain will present details of his proposal for a Minister for Men at a special public meeting in the Ardboyne Hotel in Navan Co. Meath on Wednesday the 2nd March.

ENDS