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Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 5 July 2023

Wednesday, 5 July 2023

Questions (173)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

173. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the referenda on equality and care due to take place in November; whether all three proposed constitutional amendments of the Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality will be brought forward; when the interdepartmental group will publish its proposed referenda wording in relation to Article 40.1, Article 41.2 and Article 41.3; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32894/23]

Written answers

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

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.