The National Women’s Council of Ireland makes its submission to the All-Party Oireachtas Committee o

Published: Sunday, April 24, 2005

This morning (Wednesday 27 April 2005) the National Women's Council of Ireland (NWCI) made its submission to the All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution. Since its inception in 1973, the NWCI has consistently campaigned for laws and policies that are supportive and appropriate for all types of families as well as highlighting inequalities and injustices experienced by women.

Presenting the NWCI's submission, Dr Joanna McMinn, NWCI Director, stated that the Council supports the concept that the Constitution should name and provide protection to all types of family units within the State. The present Constitutional definition of the family is that of the family based on marriage; other family forms are not equally valued in legislation and government policies. ''Whilst it is acknowledged that the Constitution is an evolving document, it is also clear that existing prescribed definitions of the 'family' mean that many groups receive little or no protection'' Dr McMinn stated. '' The impact of this lack of protection can be seen in the development and wording of recent legislation where there has been explicit discrimination of certain groups, which the NWCI believes is contrary to the ethos of the Constitution, if not the actual wording,'' she continued.

The NWCI submission outlined the Council's view on marriage: ''The NWCI upholds the right of individual religious organisations to define marriage within their own institution, but would also insist that the State has a wider remit of responsibility to encompass all citizens''. Expanding on this, Dr McMinn stated that, ''if marriage continues on the basis for defining the 'family' then as an issue of equality this option has to be available to all citizens, including same-sex couples''.

Discussing Civil Unions or Gay-Marriage, the NWCI's submission was clear in its assertion that same-sex relationships need to be treated equally within the law and the Constitution, as opposite-sex relationships. Dr McMinn concluded: '' The NWCI believes strongly that individual prejudice and intolerance should not be upheld by the Government, since this cannot be for the better good of society.'