Proposed deletion of protection of the home from the Constitution is concerning

Tuesday, December 5, 2023 – The Iona Institute needs to study the wording of the new amendments properly before giving a full reaction.

We note, however, that the proposed English-language replacement to the section on mothers-in-the-home no longer mentions the home at all. This is concerning. Why not retain the current reference? More importantly, we note that the Government has dropped the requirement to try and protect mothers, or carers, from being forced into the workplace by economic necessity.

The Government could seek to make the language in this section gender-neutral and still give protection to the home and its value to people.

But the approach they are taking fits in with the overall Government philosophy which appears to prioritise the economy over the home and seeks to have as many people as possible become members of the workforce.

We need to study the proposed wording of the section on the family more closely. We note that it will include relationships other than marriage. This could be seen as a further downgrading of the importance of marriage to the State.

ENDS