Written answers
Thursday, 14 December 2023
Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth
Constitutional Amendments
Gino Kenny (Dublin Mid West, People Before Profit Alliance)
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108. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he is aware that civil society organisations have said the wording of the proposed referendum on care is significantly different from that recommended by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality and the Citizens' Assembly on gender equality; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55578/23]
Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government has published two Referendum Bills:
- The Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023; and
- The Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023
These Bills give effect to the Government's proposals for referendums to:
- amend Article 41 of the Constitution to provide for a wider concept of Family; and
- delete Article 41.2 of the Constitution to remove text on the role of women in the home, and insert a new Article 42B to recognise family care.
The referendums will be held on 8 March 2024.
The two Referendum Bills were published on 8 December. The Bills will be debated at Second Stage in Dáil Éireann on 14 December.
Following the passage of the legislation through the Houses of the Oireachtas, An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission, will prepare a statement or statements containing a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposals for the referendums and of the text thereof in the relevant Bills and any other information relating to those matters that the Commission considers appropriate. It shall also be the function of the Electoral Commission to promote public awareness of referendums and to encourage people to vote.
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