Mr. Frank Conaty:

I appreciate the Deputy's point. I do not feel that complexity should stop us from doing something now as opposed to down the road. It will take consideration and consultation but, from the perspective of caring, there is no doubt about the stereotypical language in terms of gender and role. I believe a lot of people are aware of what caring means and where carers are coming from in this context, but I will dig into it a little bit further. Caring does not just involve an individual providing care and a person receiving care. It typically involves a family and encompasses everything to do with the family.

It impacts the entire fabric of family emotionally, physically and economically. We can put metrics on the contribution carers make, and it is important to do so, but sometimes the contributions onto which we cannot put metrics are even more important. We need to address two aspects of the role of carers: recognition and support. Recognition is important because, even if it is symbolic, symbols can be important. Symbols can also, however, be empty if they are not accompanied by support. The role of carers in society and their contribution to us as a nation is immense and deserves recognition. We have an opportunity to do that and even if, being complex, it requires consultation or if there are issues requiring definitions as to boundaries as a result of an economic impact, we nevertheless need to take it seriously. We need to have the courage to deal with it in that context.

There is no impediment to engaging with this aspect in isolation from the amendment or Article 41.2. We need to be brave and to amend the article. We need to look at what family life is within the article as well as the role of carers, parents and other family members and how we support them as they contribute to society. This also includes siblings, sons, daughters and a wide variety of people who care within a family context. We should take this opportunity to recognise carers while dealing with the stereotypical language around gender and role.