Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 April 2023
101. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Taoiseach what topics are to be put to referendum this year; the topics that are planned for referendums in the years ahead; and if tentative dates have been set for each. [16333/23]
View answerAs I announced on 8 March, the Government intends to hold a Referendum in November this year on gender equality as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality.
The decision to hold one or more referendums on this issue is in line with commitments in the Programme for Government to respond to the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on gender equality.
There are various proposals for further constitutional reforms under consideration; however, no final decisions have been made as yet on the timing for holding of other referendums. Some of these reforms arise from the Programme for Government, others, such as the EU Agreement on a Unified Patent Court, arise from legal requirements.
The recent establishment of the Electoral Commission will help streamline the conduct of referendums.
