Gender Equality Committee to discuss the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality regarding the Constitution

The meeting will take place in Committee Room 2 of Leinster House between 09:30-12:30.
The Committee was established to consider the recommendations contained in the Report of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality.

Representatives from the National Women’s Council of Ireland, One Family, the Children’s Rights Alliance and the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission are due to appear before the Committee.

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Ivana Bacik said: “The Committee welcomes the opportunity to discuss recommendations 1-3 of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality regarding the Constitution with a diverse array of stakeholders.”

“The focus of tomorrow’s hearing is to concentrate on the recommendations related to potential constitutional amendments including the proposed inclusion of a reference to gender equality and non-discrimination in Article 40.1 of the Constitution.”

“We will also discuss the Assembly’s recommendation that Article 41 of the Constitution should be amended so that it would protect private and family life, with the protection afforded to the family not limited to the marital family."

“We look forward to discussing the Assembly’s recommendations regarding the Woman in the Home clause .i.e - that Article 41.2 of the Constitution should be deleted and replaced with language that is not gender specific and obliges the State to take reasonable measures to support care within the home and wider community.”

Read the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality in full here.

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