Departmental Reports

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 February 2024

Tuesday, 27 February 2024

Ceisteanna (428)

Catherine Connolly

Ceist:

428. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the interdepartmental committee that was established to examine the recommendations of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality compiled a report of the submissions received in the public consultation that closed on 19 May 2023; if so, if the report has been published; if not, his plans for the publication of the report; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8814/24]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Two 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.