Sir, – The objections that caused the Government to delay a referendum to delete article 41.2 of the Constitution (the "woman's place in the home" clause) are based on concern that this would remove the only article that recognises that caring is vital to creating a society. The letters and articles that The Irish Times has published show this widespread concern.
The Citizens’ Assembly agreed by an overwhelming majority that the article should be amended to remove its sexist language and to extend constitutional protection to all carers. Why is the Government eager to ignore this advice?
Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan’s disappointment that the delay is a missed opportunity to progress gender equality rings hollow.
Could it be that the Government is worried that article 41.2 may finally be used to demand financial rights for mothers and other carers?
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As letter writer SE Lydon puts it (September 15th), “If we are going to amend the Constitution, then the women who do this job should get pension rights, financial compensation and economic support from the State”.
As article 41.2 states, the “common good cannot be achieved” without the essential work done by mothers and other carers, including men.
Making caring and those who do it less visible is not equality; rather, it hides exploitation.
Now that the Government has bowed to pressure, we must ensure that the debate focuses on society’s dependence on carers, starting with mothers, and carers’ entitlement to society’s support. – Yours, etc,
DEIRDRE McHUGH,
MAGGIE RONAYNE,
Galway.