Minister of State for Special Education and Inclusion Josepha Madigan has called for the end of gender titles such as 'chairman' and 'spokesman'.

Furthermore, the TD for Dublin Rathdown has suggested that the County Kerry newspaper be renamed, to align with gender neutrality, from 'The Kerryman' to 'The Kerryperson'.

Independent TD for Kerry, Michael Healy Rae told Newstalk Breakfast:

"To be honest, I wouldn't agree with it, I think this is political correctness gone mad. Might I say that I truly believe that Minister Josepha Madigan is a very good person, I really like her a lot. As a politician, she is very dedicated, very sincere so anything that I'm saying is in no way me saying bad things about her.

"The CEO of The Kerryman is a lady, and she has come out and says she has absolutely no problem with it being The Kerryman newspaper.

"Some people go on with this 'political correctness' in the hope of it being seen as popular amongst people, particularly women, because they might be offended.

"I've never once in my life heard of a lady come in and say 'this is an awful heading, The Kerryman newspaper. This is political correctness gone mad. And I think that government ministers at the minute, be they senior or junior, have better things to be worried about.

"I think the next thing we'll have to change will be that the title of Ceann Comhairle in the Dáil will have to change, the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad will have to change and the 'manhole' in the ground by the local authority will have to be called a 'personhole'. It is absolute balderdash of the worst type."

The independent politician further criticised the inclusion of gender quotas in Irish politics.

"Can I give another example? One thing that I was totally opposed to was when gender quotas were brought in to Irish politics so that parties would be fined if they didn't have enough women .. I thought that was the ultimate insult to women.

"Did anybody ever think that women are too sensible to enter into politics? Do you not think it was an awful insult to put a price on women candidature to enter politics?

"What I would say to government ministers at the minute is, "for God's sake do your job". We have enough to be worried about than to consider the title of The Kerryman newspaper."

Main image: Michael Healy-Rae talking to the media outside the Dáil in 2016. Picture by: RollingNews.ie