Joint Committee on Gender Equality to hold first public meeting on Thursday

Chairperson of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality Dr Catherine Day will appear at the Committee to discuss the recommendations of the Assembly with TDs and Senators.

The Committee was established to consider the recommendations contained in the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality.

The Committee held a number of meetings in private session with officials from the Department of an Taoiseach, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and other stakeholders ahead of its first public session.

The Committee shall report to both the Dáil and Seanad within nine months of its first public meeting.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Ivana Bacik said: “Tomorrow is the first opportunity for the Committee to discuss the report of the Citizen’s Assembly in Gender Equality. The 99 members of the Assembly gave up their time and consideration during the pandemic to set out 45 recommendations aimed at achieving gender equality in Ireland.”

“An open letter sent to the Oireachtas last year read: “We urge you to match our commitment by accepting our recommendations and implementing them without delay to deliver gender equality for Ireland.”

“Gender equality is often thought of as being solely a woman’s issue. It is a societal issue that affect and impacts all of us."

“The recommendations span a range of issues including constitutional change, childcare, care, leadership and politics, domestic, sexual and gender based violence, pay and the workplace and social protection.”

“The Committee looks forward to engaging with the Chair of the Assembly, Dr Catherine Day about their recommendations and undertaking our work programme where we will meet with a variety of stakeholders.”

Watch the Committee proceedings live here or on the Oireachtas smartphone app for Apple and Android.