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Lucinda Creighton: Government in a quandary as vote on gender could hand it a bloody nose

There were plans to put the referendum before the people but there’s a realisation now among ministers that the issues are potentially far more contentious than they bargained for

Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar. ‘The proposed referendum was intended to bolster the government parties’ credentials as progressive with an easy victory in a straightforward referendum; instead, ministers now know it will invariably open a can of worms.’ Picture: PA

The government has, apparently, begun to waver in its determination to put a referendum before the people to enshrine gender in the constitution and to remove references to the role of women in the home. The referendum has been mooted by many in government over several years, as ministers have enjoyed projecting their commitment to gender equality by railing against a constitutional provision which is certainly old-fashioned, but in practice has no bearing on the ...