Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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495. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 of 7 October 2014 stating that the Government has also undertaken to look at making Article 41.2 of the Constitution on the role of women gender-neutral, and at including other carers both in and beyond the home, it has also undertaken to look at amending the Constitution to include the principle of gender equality, as well as the use of gender-inclusive language in the Constitution, if she will report on the status of this undertaking; the persons involved in advising on and making this decision; and if she will confirm that the Government will propose a constitutional amendment or amendments to this effect. [41619/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Government has undertaken to look at the question of the most appropriate wording to be presented to the people arising from the recommendations in the Second Report of the Convention on the Constitution in relation to amending the language in Article 41.2 on the role of women in the home. It has also undertaken to look at the feasibility of including the principle of gender equality as well as the use of gender-inclusive language in the Constitution.

A Task Force composed of officials from the Equality and Civil Law Divisions of the Department of Justice and Equality has been established to examine these issues. The Task Force has collaborated in its work with the Attorney General's Office and other Departments as necessary. The report of the Task Force is nearing finalisation and I would hope to receive it shortly. Following consideration of the matter, I will bring proposals to Government.