Justice & Equality Committee begins pre-legislative scrutiny on general scheme of 38th Amendment of the Constitution (Role of Women) Bill

The schedule for the meeting which takes place in Committee Room 2 is:

Pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the 38th Amendment of the Constitution Bill –

Session 1 - 9:00 am 

Charles Flanagan, Minister for Justice and Equality          

Pre-legislative scrutiny of the general scheme of the 38th Amendment of the Constitution Bill –

Session 2 - 10:00 am 

National Women’s Council    Irish Human Rights & Equality Commission    Dr. Laura Cahillane, School of Law, University of Limerick    Committee Chairman Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD said: “The 38th Amendment to the Constitution will seek to make a change to Article 41.2 of the Constitution which states: ‘In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved. The State shall, therefore, endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in their home’. This article has been subject to debate for some time. Society has changed dramatically since this clause was included in the Constitution. There is a general consensus that the current wording cannot be maintained, but differences of opinion on how to proceed, in particular should the article be deleted or amended to reflect the role of carers in the home. Our pre-legislative scrutiny will allow the various voices and opinions to be heard before the Bill is published and in that way inform the drafting of the legislation."

The meeting will take place at 9am in Committee Room 2, Leinster House.

Committee proceedings can be viewed live here.

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