Eamon Ryan (Dublin Bay South, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

The question Deputy Harkin put is a good one. How do we explain to the citizen faced with the ballot? It is the citizens' choice. What is the reason for voting "Yes"? In both cases, in my mind I argue that it is to support and value the family, every family. The broadening of the definition we will introduce in Article 39 is vital because a lot of families are excluded from the current provisions.

I disagree with the Leas-Cheann Comhairle about retaining the existing words. I understand her arguments around economic support for people who are in the home, but the language is clearly sexist in a variety of ways, including not recognising the caring work that many men do in the home.

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