Ivana Bacik (Dublin Bay South, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I want to return to the gender equality referendum. I thank the Taoiseach for giving some indication on the timing of the legislation for that referendum and for indicating that it will proceed in March, which is welcome. It is of concern to see reports about the wording proposed and that it will apparently deviate from what we proposed in the Joint Committee on Gender Equality and what the citizens' assembly recommended. In particular, we are concerned to see that, rather than offering a meaningful recognition of carers, it is reported that the draft will merely "strive to support the provision of care", which is a rather ineffective phrase. Furthermore, we understand from the reports in the newspapers that the provision of care to be recognised in the Constitution will be limited to that provided within the home or family, whereas the committee and the citizens' assembly proposed a more inclusive definition of care to include care outside the home. Crucially, in light of the Johnny O'Meara case, we also want to ensure the referendum will expand the definition of "family" beyond that based on marriage. I would welcome clarity on that.

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