Ireland faces October referendum on ‘woman’s place in the home’

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan

Ireland will return to the polls in October for a referendum on removing the Constitution’s references to a woman’s place being in the home, the Sunday Business Post reports.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said the Government has almost finished its preparatory work for the referendum on removing or changing article 41.2 on the role and rights of women.

It currently 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 the home.”

Mr Flanagan (pictured) said the referendum on this and the removal of article 40.6.1 on blasphemy will take place on the same day as the presidential election, if one does take place.

Draft legislation to provide for the referendums is expected to be published before the Dáil’s summer break.

Mr Flanagan said: “This will ensure that a referendum commission can be established in a timely manner and will ensure that the commission will have adequate time within which to begin its preparatory work

“Funding arrangements have been put in place within my Department and contact has been maintained with both the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government and the Office of the Ombudsman, both of which will have key roles to play in relation to the referendum process.”