Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 September 2023
246. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide an update on the proposed Referendum on Article 41 of the Constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40861/23]
View answerOn 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 Group (IDG), involving all Government Departments and chaired by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, was subsequently established to further examine and progress work on these recommendations. The work of the IDG is well advanced and policy proposals, to include Heads of Bills, will be brought forward to Government for decision. It is important to clarify that decisions on the wording of any proposed Constitutional amendments and the publication of any related draft legislation are a matter for Government, which is supported in its work by the IDG.
