Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not accept that. As Minister for Justice and Equality, I have to say that the whole issue of care, caring and carers is a matter for the Minister, Deputy Regina Doherty. I acknowledge her record in this area. I put it to the Deputy that we have a strong record in responding to the childcare needs of parents. The Minister, Deputy Zappone, received substantial increases in funding in budgets 2017 and 2018. When I served as Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, I worked on the development of initiatives like the early years strategy and the single affordable childcare scheme. The overarching and fundamental point I would like to make about the referendum in my capacity as Minister for Justice and Equality is that this is a gender equality issue rather than a money issue, a finance issue, an education issue or a childcare issue. I would like to reinforce one particular point by impressing again on the members of the committee that an amendment would have application to a marital family only, due to the article in the Constitution that refers to such a family only. That presents difficulties from an equality perspective.