Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 July 2023
539. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on progress in relation to the referendum on equality and care due to take place in November; when the interdepartmental group will publish its proposed wording in relation to Articles 40.1, 41.2 and 41.3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32729/23]
View answer542. Deputy Marian Harkin asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth for an update on the referendum on equality and care due to take place in November; whether all three proposed constitutional amendments will be brought forward; and when the Interdepartmental Group will publish its proposed referenda wording in relation to Article 40.1, Article 41.2 and Article 41.3. [32829/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 539 and 542 together.
On 8 March 2023, the Taoiseach and I announced that a referendum will be held in November 2023 to amend the Constitution as recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality. An Inter-Departmental Committee, involving all Government Departments and chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, was then established to further examine and advance these recommendations. The IDC is now working on policy proposals, which will be brought forward for consideration and decision by Government shortly. We will be in a position to update further at that stage.
