Professor Yvonne Galligan:

I thank the Deputy for her question. This measure should be framed in the context of modernising the Oireachtas as a workplace, because it is a workplace for many people - Deputies, Senators and all the staff around the Houses. The Constitution implies that Members will be in the Chamber and voting in person. The interpretation of what voting in person means has changed to one that was never envisaged in 1937. If one were to change that and bring it to a referendum, it would have to be in the context of other changes that also modernise the Oireachtas as a workplace in a way that enables male and female representatives to genuinely reconcile their work and family lives in the same way as all other members of the workplace can do so.