*Ages ago*
ME: Hi, can I make an appointment to meet *TD's name* please?

THEM: Oh, the minister is very busy at the moment.

ME: That's okay.  When might I be able to make an appointment?

THEM: *names date*

ME: Thanks!

THEM: Erm, what's it in connection with?

ME: Erm, women's health?

THEM: Okaaaaay.

*Day before appointment*
THEM: Hi, is that Kathy?

ME: Yes.

THEM: I'm afraid I'm going to have to postpone your appointment, the minister is very busy.  

ME: That's okay.  When can I reschedule for?

THEM: *names date the following week*

ME: Thanks!

THEM: Erm, what's it in connection with?

ME: Erm, women's health?

THEM: Okaaaaaaaaaaaay.

*Several hours before appointment*
THEM: Hi, is that Kathy?

ME: Yes.

THEM: I'm afraid I'm going to have to postpone your appointment, the minister is very busy.  

ME: That's okay.  When can I reschedule?

THEM: *names date the following week*

ME: Thanks!

THEM: Erm, what's it in connection with?

ME: Erm, women's health?

THEM: Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

*Day before appointment*
THEM: Hi, is that Kathy?

ME: Yes.

THEM: I'm afraid I'm going to have to postpone your appointment, the minister is very busy.

ME: *sigh* That's okay.  When can I reschedule for?

THEM: *names date at end of same week*

ME: Thanks!

THEM: Erm, what's it in connection with?

ME: Erm, women's health?

THEM: Okaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay.

*Day and time of appointment*
ME: Hi, I'm here to meet *TD's name*.

THEM: I'm afraid the minister is absent at present.  Would you like to speak to me?

ME: Okay.  Will he be long?

THEM: Oh he won't be in today.

ME: What??

THEM: He won't be in today.  Would you like to speak to me and I can pass it on?

ME: No!  I had an appointment with *TD's name*!  Why didn't you call me?  I have a job I've taken time out of!

THEM: I tried to call you...

ME *makes a show of taking out phone, checking for missed calls*  Did you try to call me?

THEM: Erm let me check... *fiddles with computer, reads list of missed appointments to self* okay sorry about that.

ME: So can you tell me why you didn't call me?

THEM: Sorry about that.

ME: Can I reschedule?

THEM: Well the minister is actually away next week, and then it's the summer break, so it'll be at the end of the summer.

ME: That's unacceptable.  That's really disrespectful behaviour.  We're constituents.

​THEM: Sorry about that.

Maria Lappin and I will perform this piece again:
at Clonakilty Community Arts Centre on Friday Aug 19th from 7.30;
​in the Franciscan Well, Cork city, on Monday Sep 5th from 7.30pm.
Both performances will follow launch readings of Tina Pisco's new book 'Sunrise Sunset.'
Come along and spread the word!

ABOUT THIS IS MY CONSTITUTION:
A few years ago while researching in the National Archives I came across a file in the archive of the Department of the President.  The file contained De Valera's draft constitution, and all of the letters written to him and to the Irish Press by excellent Irish women from all walks of life, begging the then Taoiseach to remove the sexist wording which threatened women's ability to work and even to full citizenship.  The file contained not a single written reply from De Valera, and the worst of the wording is still in our constitution to this day.  The file also contained defamatory editorials from the Irish Press seeking (no doubt at the then government's behest) to undermine the women, as well as arse-licking and downright frightening letters in support of 'sending women back to the home where they belong.'  The final document was a Department of Finance memorandum from the period listing the civil service jobs which women couldn't do: this one really has to be heard to be believed!

I made a short play from the documents so that I could let the women's voices be heard again and until their demands are finally met.  Also, because I don't think we should ever forget exactly how much our government has hated women and continues to enact and support woman-hating legislation.  The last time the piece was performed was at a parliamentary briefing for TDs and senators in Dáil Eireann during the Constitutional Convention.  

If you are interested in hearing these women speak again, come to Ma Murphy's pub in Bantry on Thursday July 21st at 7pm: FREE EVENT.   And please spread the word!  The more of us who listen to women like these, the better for everyone.

The event will be followed by music and a book launch by Tina Pisco.