Sinn Féin Deputy Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD today welcomed the publication of the Constitutional Convention’s report recommending gender balance, equality and inclusiveness.

The convention delegate said:

“Sinn Féin welcomes the convention’s recommendations on gender equality, particularly in the context of injustices overseen by the State in the past. Gender inequality underpinned the imprisonment of women in the Magdalene Laundries against their will and the barbaric neglect of children in Bethany Home born to mothers who were not married” .

McDonald added that “Provisions as recommended in the Constitutional Convention’s latest report have the effect of both empowering and constraining government action, and critically provide a mechanism for citizens to hold Government to account". And insisted that “We need to redress those aspects of the constitution which have been controversial from the very start, and also to make provision for enhanced gender equality guarantees".

Ending her statement McDonald said “The constitution must be amended to include gender-inclusive language, an explicit provision on gender equality and a positive action obligation on the State to give effect to such a guarantee. Article 41.2 must be amended so that its wording is gender neutral recognising the value of all unpaid care work done by both women and men in the home and in the wider community.”