Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 February 2024
481. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will publish in full the minutes and documents associated with the Interdepartmental Group that met to discuss the forthcoming referenda on the Constitution; if he will provide details of the membership of the Group; the number of times it met; the attendees at each meeting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7546/24]
View answerTwo Referendums are planned to take place on 8 March 2024. In line with the McKenna and McCrystal principles on the use of public funds in a referendum, all papers in the relation to the work of the Interdepartmental Group are precluded from publication until after the referendum votes have taken place.
Two Referendum Bills have passed all Stages in the Houses of the Oireachtas which will, if enacted:
- amend Article 41 of the Constitution to provide for a wider concept of Family; and
- delete Article 41.2 of the Constitution to remove text on the role of women in the home, and to insert a new Article 42B to recognise family care.
As the Bills have now been passed by the Houses of the Oireachtas, it is the responsibility of An Coimisiún Toghcháin, the Electoral Commission, to prepare a statement or statements containing a general explanation of the subject matter of the proposals for the referendums and of the text thereof in the relevant Bills and any other information relating to those matters that the Commission considers appropriate. It is also the function of the Electoral Commission to promote public awareness of referendums and to encourage people to vote.
