Constitutional Amendments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023

Thursday, 6 July 2023

Questions (310)

Holly Cairns

Question:

310. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made in fulfilling the Programme for Government commitment to holding a referendum on Article 41.2 of the Constitution; and if the draft wording of the referendum will be shared with civil society organisations in advance of the referendum to ensure that any proposed constitutional change will reinforce equality commitments at an international level, such as the UNCRPD. [33258/23]

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 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 (IDC), 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 continuing to work 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.