A call to give The Kerryman newspaper a gender-neutral title will likely fall on deaf ears in the Kingdom, with a local TD blasting the proposal as an example of “political correctness gone insane”.
Minister Josepha Madigan has called for the end of gendered titles and language like ‘chairman’ and ‘spokesman’ and has said even The Kerryman should consider a change of title.
But South Kerry TD Michael Healy-Rae told the Irish Mirror he “vehemently” opposes the idea.
He said: “I know Minister Madigan to be a great person and a dedicated politician but what she is saying is the biggest load of absolute nonsense that I’ve heard out of any politician since the foundation of the State - It’s political correctness gone insane.
“Whether Josepha likes it or not, a man is a man and a woman is a woman. What does she want for us? Not to have any gender whatsoever?
“For a woman I would classify as being sensible, this is not one of her finer moments.”
General manager of The Kerryman Siobhan Murphy told the Irish Mirror she sees no reason to change the name of the well-known paper.
She said: "As a woman, I don’t have a problem with the name of the paper, I think the brand is iconic and I’m very proud to be here.
"I’ve been with The Kerryman for over 40 years and I think the most important thing about the paper is the people and the stories that make us such a recognisable title at home and abroad."
The paper hired a ‘paperboy’ this year in the form of a newspaper stand outside the paper’s headquarters in Tralee.
Ms Murphy said the paper considered putting a papergirl outside the offices instead, but decided to stay true to tradition.
“The paper was traditionally sold by paperboys - if we were to put a papergirl outside the front door it wouldn’t represent the way The Kerryman was sold.
“I know how important it is to move with the times and I’m a strong advocate of women’s rights, but I also believe that you have to respect history and traditions.
“For us, it’s a case of 'if it ain’t broke, why fix it'”.
