Citizens’ Assembly recommendations point way to fairer Ireland – Carroll MacNeill

The recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality point the way to a fairer, more inclusive Ireland, Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has said.

Deputy Carroll MacNeill said: “Today’s recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality are an unmissable opportunity to build on the progressive changes we have seen in Ireland in recent years.

“The recommendations of the assembly, led by Catherine Day, range from constitutional amendments to political changes to improvements in the workplace and increased support for families and households.

“The recommendation to amend Article 41.2 of the Constitution – woman in the home – is long overdue and its replacement with non-gender specific language would value the importance of caring duties in the home.

“The assembly’s focus on caring is particularly welcome and its recommendations on reforming Carers’ Allowance, improving respite provision, increasing the Carers’ Support Grant and providing access to training and other supports would recognise how crucial the work of carers in our country is.

“Many of the recommendations, such as those on pension reform – especially relevant to women who left the workplace due to caring responsibilities – on gender quotas in politics and elsewhere, on increased support for childcare, including greater paid leave for parents, are areas in which Fine Gael has led the way in recent years.

“I look forward to the Government’s speedy consideration of the assembly’s recommendations and to taking part in the debates and the work at the Oireachtas to make the recommendations a reality for everyone in our country,” concluded Deputy Carroll MacNeill.