Monica Barnes

Monica Barnes (; 12 February 1936 – 2 May 2018) was an Irish Fine Gael politician who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Dún Laoghaire constituency from 1982 to 1992 and 1997 to 2002. She was a Senator for the Labour Panel from February 1982 to November 1982 and a Member of the Council of State from 1991 to 1995. She was a feminist and women's right activist who co-founded the Council for the Status of Women (now the National Women's Council).

Early life Barnes was born Monica MacDermott on 12 February 1936 in Carrickmacross, County Monaghan. Also in 1973, the Irish government requested permission from the European Economic Community (EEC) to delay implementation of the Equal Pay directive when the country joined. In response, Barnes co-founded the Council for the Status of Women in 1973 (renamed the National Women's Council of Ireland in 1995), a move which prompted her to fully commit herself to politics. The Minister for Labour, Michael O'Leary, appointed Barnes to the Employment Equality Agency set up under the Employment Equality Act 1977.

She was first elected to Dáil Éireann at the November 1982 general election, topping the poll for Fine Gael.

Columnist Gene Kerrigan recalled that in 1984, when dozens of "peace" women were arrested during the visit of US President Ronald Reagan, Monica Barnes was the only politician to visit them in the cells of the Bridewell, where they were held until the president had departed.

She lost her seat in Dún Laoghaire at the 1992 general election but was elected in 1993 to the 20th Seanad. She unsuccessfully contested the 1994 European Parliament election. She was seen as having made a critical intervention that led to the passing of the Health (Family Planning) (Amendment) Bill 1985, which gave Irish adults the right to purchase non-medical contraceptives without having to get a doctor's prescription, which passed the Dáil by a margin of 82 to 79.

Barnes was also identified as being on the social liberal wing of Fine Gael in the 1980s, which was formed and led by Garret FitzGerald.

Death Barnes died on 2 May 2018 at her home in Glenageary, County Dublin, aged 82.