Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I suggest to the Minister that the reason it has not been dealt with in 25 years is that it was not really on the political agenda. The Government saw the strength of the "Yes" vote last May and that is what got it onto the political agenda after 25 years, rather than the fear of constitutional challenges in the court.

If this article is deleted, how does the Government propose to recognise caring or to ensure women's time is not consumed by caring? This, of course, leads to the detriment of their economic independence. Deputy Wallace referred to the OECD report on childcare and it is clear that childcare is not accessible for a large number of women in Ireland at present. Many of them rely on their elderly mothers to take care of their children, further consuming women of a certain age in care in the home when their duty is far gone. I would like the Minister to propose how the Government will realistically help women and recognise caring.