Kilkenny councillor and SIPTU representative Denis Hynes says the equal pay issue for the men and women’s FAI team has been a huge struggle for years.
He was reacting to the news that the women’s senior team is to be paid as much as the men’s, a deal that was done this week.
Denis says he remembers meeting the FAI on a night in April 2007 and says everything changed that night.
“I’m thrilled for the women that stood up that night and have been fighting continuously since,” said Denis.
“It’s a great day and I have to say I’m proud of Seamus Coleman who has come forward as well, he’s been there and he’s been significant in this in trying to make sure there was equal pay, equal match fees for these ladies because it’s not that long ago we remember back to the old tracksuits (issue) and gender inequality doesn’t work anymore and I think we’re making a lot of progress in that area now and it’s great to see that happening” he added.
Respective captains Seamus Coleman and Katie McCabe were involved in brokering the deal with the FAI.
Kilkenny’s Karen Duggan was part of the team and group that fought for equal pay over the years and has been very vocal about it.
What it means is that the men’s team takes a pay cut, with the FAI making up the remaining difference in match fees.