The referendum comes in line with the recommendation for a referendum by the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality and the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality.


In its final report to the Oireachtas in June of 2021, the Assmebly made recommendations for amendments to Articles 40 and 41 of the Constitution, specifically:


- Article 40.1 of the Constitution should be amended to refer explicitly to gender equality and non-discrimination.

- Article 41 of the Constitution should be amended so that it would protect family life, with the protection afforded to the family not limited to the marital family.

- 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.

- Article 41.2 states that a woman’s place is in the home. Should the referendum pass, this would be removed and replaced with gender neutral language.


"For too long, women and girls have carried a disproportionate share of caring responsibilities, been discriminated against at home and in the workplace, objectified or lived in fear of domestic or gender-based violence,” the Taoiseach said.

"I am pleased to announce that the government plans to hold a Referendum this November to amend our Constitution to enshrine gender equality and to remove the outmoded reference to ‘women in the home’, in line with the recommendations of the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality."


Speaking at the announcement of the referendum, Minister O’Gorman said: “I commend the Citizens Assembly on Gender Equality and the membership of the recent Special Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality for their work to advance these difficult and sensitive issues.

“My department will very shortly be convening an inter-departmental committee to develop policy recommendations for consideration by Government, with a view to agreement by Government of wording for the proposed referenda."