Golf club administrators who barred women from membership were bad shots, not big shots, Mrs Mary O'Rourke, leader of the Seanad told the House yesterday. "I cannot understand how a golf club could not let in women members. It just beggars all belief. It really does," she said.

Mrs O'Rourke was commenting on the refusal of Portmarnock Golf Club, venue for next year's Irish Open championship, to admit women members. She said she agreed with party colleague, Dr Martin Mansergh, that justice was not only for small people but for larger entities as well.

"I suppose we call those bad shots, not big shots if they are not prepared to do something about it."

Dr Mansergh said he was very distressed by the fact that Portmarnock was still one of two clubs "not obeying the law on the matter".

He was surprised that the club members were happy to be seen as a bastion of social reaction.