SF presses for change on '˜woman's place in home'

The constitution says that the Irish state recognises that “by her life within the home, woman gives to the state a support without which the common good cannot be achieved”.

Sinn Fein has joined Fianna Fail in calling for more time to consider whether the clause should be deleted or amended in a possible October referendum on the day of the presidential vote.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald said that she wants “those backward words out of our constitution as quickly as we can remove them” but there should also be a positive recognition of caring in “a non-gendered way”.