Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Ivana Bacik Sasko Lazarov

Ivana Bacik ‘very concerned’ Labour won’t be able to support a yes vote in care referendum

Bacik said the Irish Constitution as it stands is “an embarrassment”.

LEADER OF THE Labour Party, Ivana Bacik has said her party may not be able to support the two referendums set to take place on International Women’s Day because of concerns over the wording.

As chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality (which has now completed its work) Bacik was heavily involved in the process leading up to the referendums. 

In an interview with The Journal, the Dublin Bay South TD said although the Constitutional provisions relating to a woman’s place in the home and dealing with care are “an embarrassment”, she has serious concerns about the government’s proposed new wording.

Following recommendations from the Citizens’ Assembly on Gender Equality, voters are set to go to the polls on 8 March next year. This comes after significant delays to the publication of the proposed changes by the government.

Voters will be asked if they wish to:

  • amend Article 41 of the Constitution to provide for a wider concept of family
  • delete Article 41.2 of the Constitution to remove text on the role of women in the home, and insert a new Article 42B to recognise family care.

Draft wording of the referendums was published earlier this month but Bacik said the wording, particularly relating to recognising care, is “narrowly defined” and “weak”.

“We will be putting down amendments on the bill in the new year to strengthen the wording to bring it more into line with what we had recommended on the Oireachtas committee and which had buy-in from all the political parties and support from civil society and trade union groups too,” Bacik said.

“We’re very concerned that the government wording, particularly on the care referendum, is so narrowly defined and so weak, if I may say, that we won’t be able to see a way to support it.

“And we’re very concerned about that,” she said.

Central to Bacik’s concerns is the divergence from the wording proposed by the Oireachtas Committee and the Citizens Assembly.

She highlighted that the government’s proposed wording restricts care to care within the family and doesn’t extend to care outside of the family.

She also noted the weakening of language used in relation to care with the use of ‘strive to support’ rather than ‘take reasonable efforts to support’. 

Bacik said the Labour Party will take a decision on supporting the referendums in the new year but stressed the party wants to engage further in the process.

“I would like us to see the change made, our Constitution is, frankly, an embarrassment.

“The text in article 41.2 currently is an embarrassment, to say that we still refer to women as having a life within the home and mothers as having duties within the home and that we have no reference to fathers…So we need to change it. But it’s how we change it that’s important now,” Bacik said.

Patronising 

Earlier this month, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said it was “patronising” of the government to hold the referendums on International Women’s Day and dubbed the changes a “powerless amendment”. 

Cairns claimed instead that if the government really wanted to do something meaningful for women, they would instead make a commitment to implement the findings of a recent review into abortion services. 

Bacik said she didn’t agree that holding the referendum on 8 March was patronising but agreed that the abortion review recomendations need to be implemented without delay.

“I want to see the recommendations of the abortion review implemented without delay. I mean, I’m someone who has campaigned for over 30 years on abortion rights at a time when it was not at all popular. And so I am absolutely convinced of that need in advance of International Women’s Day.

“I don’t think it’s patronising to hold the referendum on International Women’s Day frankly. I think it’s positive that we’re seeing a referendum held. I wanted it held in November of last year, and all of the committee wanted that,” she said.

Proposed wording

As it stands, the government is proposing to ask voters to accept the following changes to the Constitution on 8 March:

Family Amendment

To amend Article 41.1.1 to insert the words “whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships”.

It also proposes the deletion of the words “on which the Family is founded” from Article 41.3.1.

Care Amendment

To delete Article 41.2 from the Constitution and insert an Article 42B with the following wording:

‘The State recognises that the provision of care, by members of a family to one another by reason of the bonds that exist among them, gives to Society a support without which the common good cannot be achieved, and shall strive to support such provision.’

Speaking earlier this month when the referendum was confirmed, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: “We firmly believe that passing these events will reinforce the fact that Ireland is a modern, inclusive nation that strives to treat and care for all of its people equally.”

“It’s crucial that we listen carefully to people in groups who may oppose these proposals and give them a fair hearing. We’re all aware that it’s far too easy for debate to become polarised. And the only way to avoid this is to participate in an informed, respectful conversation with everyone concerned,” he added.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
21 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thought for Food
    Favourite Thought for Food
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 7:42 AM

    Why are you referring to this as an “incident”? The police are very clear on the subject that it was a deliberate attack.

    It wouldn’t happen to be the fact that the attacker was Afghani in ethnicity by any chance?

    205
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Tom Tom
    Favourite Tom Tom
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 7:49 AM

    @Thought for Food: Read paragraph two

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Anthony Byrne
    Favourite Anthony Byrne
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 7:53 AM

    @Thought for Food: an “incident” is simply ‘something that happened’ …

    24
    See 14 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thought for Food
    Favourite Thought for Food
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 7:55 AM

    @Anthony Byrne:

    So why do we refer to school shootings in the US by people with mental health issues as an attack, but when a car is used it’s demoted to an ‘incident’?

    48
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Gulliver Foyle
    Favourite Gulliver Foyle
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:20 AM

    @Thought for Food: maybe Australians understand English better than you. Attack is a military term (coming from the Latin to join the battle). This incident was a perfect example of integration where the guy (who happened to be Afghani) was just a run of the mill, drug using, Australian with mental health issues who had, er, an incident and not a Qur’an touting crusader.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Favourite RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:21 AM

    @Thought for Food: The ‘acting’ Lord Mayor of Melbourne said that it was an ‘attack’.Take some deep breaths and relax.

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christian White
    Favourite Christian White
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:26 AM

    @Thought for Food:

    “Accused Flinders Street driver says ‘poor treatment of Muslims’ motivated him”

    https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/38383800/melbourne-attack-flinders-st-driver-motivated-by-muslim-treatment/

    35
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donoghue
    Favourite Cian O Donoghue
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:28 AM

    @Christian White: He also said he heard voices. Why didnt you quote that bit i wonder?

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KingBen
    Favourite KingBen
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:42 AM

    @Gulliver Foyle: he was no Australian.

    37
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Favourite RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 9:00 AM

    @KingBen: You’re right! He wasn’t an aboriginal .

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute KingBen
    Favourite KingBen
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 9:14 AM

    @RU 486 SAVES LIVES: boom Boom…comic genius.

    9
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute johnp
    Favourite johnp
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:23 AM

    @Gulliver Foyle: he made a claim that he did it because of the treatment of Muslims in Australia

    23
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello.
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 11:54 AM

    @Thought for Food: Anything that happened, whether caused deliberately or otherwise, can correctly be called “an incident”. This is matter of basic English and not a conspiracy.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Remy
    Favourite Remy
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 12:02 PM

    @Thought for Food:

    A Muslim deliberately drives into a crowd of people,
    Another films & waits with a bag full of knives,
    Both are arrested,
    Police determine it’s “Mental illness”
    I wonder if they actually think we believe them.

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 1:02 PM

    @Remy: Will they be healthy enough to pay all those people’s medical bills, I wonder?

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Fiona Fitzgerald
    Favourite Fiona Fitzgerald
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 1:14 PM

    All through the Troubles, it was usual to read about damage from incidents. And objects. It’s called daily news reporting. And when they have more information, they’ll use more specific nouns. What’s your hurry? Are you concerned about the people run over? They were all immigrants to Australia too.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby tolster
    Favourite Bobby tolster
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 5:46 PM

    @Tom Tom: mental illness=I want to kill the infidel.

    2
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horace
    Favourite Horace
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:11 AM

    I’m getting a bit sick and tired of the covering up of these attacks from liberal media like the Journal and the establishment in order to make it seem like everything is fine and dandy. It’s not. Islamic savages are murdering innocent westerners on our streets and they are NOT incidents. These are terrorist murderers.

    Hope the woman is okay and can get on with her life.

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Mcloughlin
    Favourite Mark Mcloughlin
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 9:12 AM

    @Horace: Well said!

    66
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brinster
    Favourite Brinster
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:11 AM

    @Horace:

    Head over to Breitbart so, Horace.

    You don’t have to be here.

    You don’t have to comment.

    You can get your news from a source that hates people of different religions just as much as you do.

    30
    See 7 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Barry Barrison
    Favourite Barry Barrison
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:38 AM

    @Horace: right…so when the west blows the crap out of Islamic countries and kills countless innocent folk there and u don’t hear about it…can I ask what the difference is??? Innocent people bring big targeted..hospitals getting blown to pieces. While I don’t agree with what this chap did…if my family was blown up for no good reason I can see the logic behind his decision

    7
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brendan Cooney
    Favourite Brendan Cooney
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:41 AM

    @Horace: so the truth is hurting you? Tough.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horace
    Favourite Horace
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 11:22 AM

    @Barry Barrison: You sound like a terrorist yourself with that sort of logic. Carry on.

    20
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horace
    Favourite Horace
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 11:23 AM

    @Brinster: Nice attempt at deflection. 2/10 Must try harder

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ronan Sexton
    Favourite Ronan Sexton
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 12:00 PM

    @Barry Barrison: I don’t seem to remember any Australian army invading any Islamic country lately to justify the actions of these primitive idiots. Maybe you can jog my memory? No? Just another half wit apologist then.

    27
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Remy
    Favourite Remy
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 12:41 PM

    @Brinster:

    Why Breitbart, go to the original texts.
    http://corpus.quran.com/translation.jsp?chapter=8&verse=12

    15
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bobby tolster
    Favourite Bobby tolster
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 5:45 PM

    @Brinster: so let me get this correct your actually trying to tell @horace he’s a racist when the incident involved a Muslim using a car to preform Jihad on a group of innocent strangers.
    Your part of the problem with this world ya giant bag of d**k tips.

    5
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christian White
    Favourite Christian White
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:25 AM

    This storyis totally inaccurate. Police update last night confirmed this was a terror attack:

    “Accused Flinders Street driver says ‘poor treatment of Muslims’ motivated him”

    https://au.news.yahoo.com/a/38383800/melbourne-attack-flinders-st-driver-motivated-by-muslim-treatment/

    106
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donoghue
    Favourite Cian O Donoghue
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:29 AM

    @Christian White: And again. You didnt quote that he hears voices. Why not?

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Christian White
    Favourite Christian White
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:30 AM

    Additional info, attacker is not “Australian of Afghan Descent”, he is an Afghan refugee who entered the country in 2004:

    “The 32-year-old Afghan refugee accused man came to Australia via a refugee program in 2004.”

    http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking-news/melbourne-attack-driver-was-a-refugee/news-story/ef15e4339155c7122569c12bbab8d5a2

    86
    See 3 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute BrianMcB
    Favourite BrianMcB
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:15 AM

    @Cian O Donoghue: The voice of ISIS, Jemaah Islamiyah or Allah or all three?

    25
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute whynotme2017
    Favourite whynotme2017
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 12:22 PM

    @Christian Black Too : You wouldn’t mind showing us that video link,of where the police commissioner says that it is a terrorist attack?

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cian O Donoghue
    Favourite Cian O Donoghue
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 6:20 PM

    @Christian White: but police can find no terrorist links yet and say there is nothing to indicate the event was planned. From that article.

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute john bennett
    Favourite john bennett
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:18 AM

    There have been many waves of migration to australia, from europe from vietnam even from lebanon yet it is only the recent ones from afghanistan, pakistan and north africa that are causing the problems and terrorist attacks, go figure

    61
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horace
    Favourite Horace
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 9:09 AM

    Title needs to be changed. Disgraceful fake news from the Journal.

    76
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Brinster
    Favourite Brinster
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:58 AM

    @Chip Lonergan:

    Yeah, re-reading it now it is a bit too subtle.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Horace
    Favourite Horace
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 11:25 AM

    @Brinster: Why do you hate all Muslims? The vast majority are just normal people. Disgraceful comment tbh

    12
    See 1 more reply ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Neal Ireland Hello.
    Favourite Neal Ireland Hello.
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 11:56 AM

    @Horace: I don’t like this news, therefore it must be fake.

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Mcloughlin
    Favourite Mark Mcloughlin
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 9:13 AM

    “incident” ? I think the words you are looking for is terrorist attack you scuts lol

    69
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute whynotme2017
    Favourite whynotme2017
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 9:35 AM

    @Mark Mcloughlin: Are you a “reporter” from Breitfart news ? lols

    3
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mark Mcloughlin
    Favourite Mark Mcloughlin
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 12:30 PM

    @whynotme2017: I never mentioned the word reporter so why are you putting that word in inverted commas? “Breitfart” you are the biggest saddo haha

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Favourite RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 7:53 AM

    Poor Thoughtless,he so wants this to be a ‘terrorist’ attack.But it’s looking like the guy has a history of serious drug and mental health issues..

    21
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Thought for Food
    Favourite Thought for Food
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 7:58 AM

    @RU 486 SAVES LIVES:

    The 9/11 terrorists drank, smoked, did drugs and frequented hookers before their attack. The Quran specifies that Martyrs will have their sins abolished.

    The presence of mental health issues or drug use do not exclude terrorism.

    103
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Favourite RU 486 SAVES LIVES
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 8:04 AM

    Good morning, Thoughtless .Thanks for the cool story,bro!

    14
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Iain MacLaren
    Favourite Iain MacLaren
    Report
    Dec 22nd 2017, 10:15 AM

    some of the comments on here are ridiculous, unhelpful, and inappropriate macho-posturing. What counts is that someone tried to kill and injure people. How you label it is political. If someone does a mass shooting in the US, it rarely is described in the same way as some here have suggested this incident be. And what of wars in foreign countries, of drone strikes, of executions? Labels to justify whatever political standpoint you have taken. I prefer to condemn all killings, whether in the name of the state, a religion, ideology, or pure personal hatred.

    10
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      News in 60 seconds