Referendums on Family and Care in Ireland: Early Indications Suggest Defeat
Counting is currently underway in the Republic of Ireland after two referendums were held on family and care. Early indications show that both referendums could be defeated, marking a significant setback for those advocating for changes to the Irish constitution. The votes, which were held on International Women’s Day, sought to gather public opinion on amending two parts of the constitution. One proposed change aimed to alter the definition of family to include relationships not based on marriage, while the other sought to remove references to women in the home.
Green Party Leader Eamon Ryan, who campaigned for a “Yes” vote, expressed his disappointment with the early indications. Speaking to reporters in Dublin, he acknowledged that it appeared both questions would be defeated. Ryan emphasized the importance of respecting the voice of the people, as they are sovereign in deciding what goes into the constitution. He stated, “We will have to wait until the final count has been done, but if it is a No vote in both, we will have to respect that.”
Counting began at 9:00 AM local time, and the first results from the 29 count centers are expected in the mid to late afternoon. Turnout across the Republic of Ireland varied, with some areas reaching a 50% turnout while others remained below 30%.
Peadar Tóibín, leader of Aontú and a vocal opponent of the proposed changes, reported high “no” tallies for both referendums. Tóibín argued that changes were necessary due to the archaic wording of the constitution but criticized the amendments as government “virtue signaling” with vague language. He also highlighted that Sinn Féin, a party traditionally supported in working-class areas, seemed to have voted against the amendments based on early tallies. Tóibín’s remarks raised questions about the disconnect between Sinn Féin’s leadership and their support base.
Regina Doherty, a senator from Fine Gael, expressed her displeasure with describing the referendums as virtue signaling, calling it an “insult” to the 100 members of the Citizens Assembly. Doherty’s remark emphasized the seriousness of the proposed amendments and the need for meaningful discussion.
Senator Michael McDowell, a barrister and law lecturer with extensive political experience, commented on the results, noting a substantial margin against the amendments across the country. McDowell suggested that the government misjudged the mood of the electorate by presenting proposals without proper explanation, potentially leading to serious consequences.
During the referendum, voters were presented with two ballots – one white and one green – and were asked to vote “yes” (Tá) or “no” (Níl). The Irish government, along with Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit, supported a “Yes” vote for both amendments. However, Aontú and other campaigners backed a “No” vote, citing concerns over wording and issues related to care, taxation, and disability.
The white ballot asked voters if they wanted to accept or reject the Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, also known as the Family amendment. Currently, the Irish constitution provides legal protections to the family unit but ties the concept of family to marriage. The proposed amendment aimed to expand the constitutional definition of family to include other “durable relationships,” such as unmarried couples and single-parent families. Supporters argued that this change would ensure equal recognition of all family units in the constitution. However, opponents raised concerns about the ambiguity of the term “durable relationship” and its potential unintended legal consequences.
The green ballot asked voters to accept or reject the Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, known as the Care amendment. Currently, the Irish constitution states that mothers should not neglect their “duties in the home” by going out into the workplace. It also highlights women’s “life within the home” as a source of support to the state for the “common good.” The proposed amendment aimed to delete these articles and introduce new text stating that the state should strive to support family-based care. Supporters of the amendment argued that the language around a woman’s role in the home was outdated and had no place in modern Irish society. However, disability activists expressed concerns that the change would reinforce the idea that caring is primarily the responsibility of family members, rather than the state. Groups like Equality Not Care called for a “No” vote.
The final results of the referendums will provide a clear indication of the public’s stance on these proposed constitutional amendments. Regardless of the outcome, the referendums have sparked important debates about the definition of family and the role of care in Irish society.