Keena wants referendum to remove Article 41.2
The Cathaoirleach of Westmeath County Council has said that the present constitutional clause on a woman’s place in the home should be replaced by “a recognition of the value of care within the home and the wider community.”
Cllr Frankie Keena brought a motion before the May meeting of Athlone Moate Municipal District last week requesting An Taoiseach, Micheál Martin, to hold a referendum on Article 41.2. of the Constitution, following the report of the Citizens’ Assembly on the matter.
Outlining the background to his motion, Cllr Keena told members that the Citizens’ Assembly “voted overwhelmingly” last year to replace Article 41.2 of the Constitution.
The Article includes the wording: “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.”
Cllr Keena also pointed out that Article 41.2 “has essentially no legal significance” and he described it as being “completely unfair” to the role that women play in Irish society. “”Women play a vital role in all aspects of society, and in all professions.”
With the Citizens’ Assembly report of April 2021 recommending the deletion of Article 41.2 and replacing it with language that is not gender specific and which obliges the State to take “reasonable measures to support care within the home and the wider community” Cllr Keena requested support from his council colleagues for a letter to the Taoiseach calling for a referendum to be held as soon as possible.
“Article 41.2 has been kicked around and talked about for over 30 years now, and hopefully this Citizens’ Assembly Report will be the catalyst to make the relevant changes towards a greater gender equality in Irish society.”
Deputy Chair of the Municipal District, Cllr Aengus O’Rourke said he “couldn’t agree more” with Cllr Keena’s motion and would not add a single word to it” while Cllr Louise Heavin – who pointed out that she was “the only woman here” - said she would like to see “a few more women” in the council chamber.
“I don’t agree with gender quotas at all, either at local or national level,” said Cllr Vinny McCormack, who added that the “long-term goal” of the political system should be to make the job of an elected representative “more suited to family life.” Cllr O’Rourke also added that he was not in favour of gender quotas either, describing them as “a cosmetic exercise.”
On the question of Article 41.2, Independent Cllr Paul Hogan said it was “more representative of 1930s Ireland that now” and he was totally in favour of a letter being sent to the Taoiseach.
Council members were unanimous in their support and agreed to send a letter to Micheál Martin requesting a Constitutional referendum as soon as possible.