A referendum has been proposed to allow TDs to vote remotely.
A constitutional requirement for TDs to be present in the Dáil for votes means things like maternity leave become difficult.
Currently, politicians must be present in the Oireachtas and voting for themselves.
The issue has been given a renewed spotlight since Justice Minister Helen McEntee revealed she is pregnant in an historic Cabinet first.
Fine Gael TD Jennifer Carroll MacNeill has suggested a referendum to allow deputies to vote remotely to facilitate maternity leave and other situations.
Speaking in the Dáil, she explained: "[It would allow] provision for the operation of the Houses during an emergency such as the pandemic we've had, or any other foreseeable emergency.
"[It would be] provision for members who are or who become ill or become immunocompromised in making sure they can continue to participate in the parliamentary proceedings, and also provision for members who have recently had or adopted a baby."
Minister McEntee's pregnancy has prompted renewed calls for maternity leave for politicians.
Social Democrat TD Holly Cairns has offered to pair with the Justice Minister for votes she might miss while on maternity leave.
Deputy Cairns has also started work on a bill that would give politicians access to maternity leave for the first time.
She said she'd be 'happy to pair' with Minister McEntee if law changes can't be implemented in time, saying the change is a 'lengthy and difficult process' that may require a referendum.
At the moment TDs, Senators and councillors have no entitlement to take a break when they have a child.
