2024 Irish constitutional referendums
 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(The Family) Bill 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
 Results by Dáil constituency | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
(Care) Bill 2023 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
 Results by Dáil constituency | ||||||||||||||||||||||
The government of Ireland held two referendums on 8 March 2024 on proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ireland. The Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023 proposed to expand the constitutional definition of family to include durable relationships outside marriage. The Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023 proposed to replace a reference to women's "life within the home" and a constitutional obligation to "endeavour to ensure that mothers shall not be obliged by economic necessity to engage in labour to the neglect of their duties in the home" with a gender-neutral article on supporting care within the family.
Of the parties represented in the Dáil, the governing coalition partners Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and the Green Party called for Yes votes in both referendums, as did opposition parties Sinn Féin, the Labour Party, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit–Solidarity. Opposition parties Aontú and Independent Ireland called for No votes in both. Civil society groups including the National Women's Council of Ireland, Treoir, Family Carers Ireland, One Family, and the Union of Students in Ireland advocated Yes votes in both referendums, as did Mary McAleese, a former president of Ireland. Groups including the Iona Institute, Family Solidarity, and Lawyers for No—an ad hoc group of barristers led by Senator Michael McDowell—campaigned for No votes in both. Opinion polls taken between early February and early March suggested a significant lead for the Yes campaign in both referendums.
Turnout nationwide was 44.36 percent of registered voters.[1] Contradicting the opinion polls, voters comprehensively rejected both bills, with 67.69 percent voting No to the proposed Thirty-ninth Amendment on the Family and 73.93 percent voting No to the proposed Fortieth Amendment on Care.[1][2][3] These were the highest and third-highest percentage votes for No in the history of Irish constitutional referendums.[4] Of the 39 constituencies, only Dún Laoghaire supported the proposed Thirty-ninth Amendment, and none supported the proposed Fortieth.[5] The Donegal constituency registered the highest percentage votes for No in both referendums, at 80.21 and 83.97 percent respectively.[6]
Background
[edit]The Constitution of Ireland came into force on 29 December 1937, following a statewide plebiscite held on 1 July 1937. An amendment to the Constitution of Ireland must be proposed as a bill initiated in Dáil Éireann and be passed, or deemed to have been passed, in both the Dáil and Seanad Éireann. The bill must then be submitted to a referendum in which all Irish citizens on the electoral register are eligible to vote.[7]
In July 2018, Minister for Justice and Equality Charlie Flanagan announced the intention of the government to hold a referendum deleting Article 41.2 from the Constitution.[8] This was to be held on the same day as the 2018 presidential election and a referendum to remove the offence of blasphemy. However, a decision of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality to schedule pre-legislative hearings meant there was insufficient time to prepare a bill for the proposed October 2018 date.[9]
In July 2019, the Oireachtas established a Citizens' Assembly on gender equality. It delivered a report in June 2021.[10] An Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality was established in December 2021 to consider the report of the assembly.[11] It delivered a report in December 2022, in which it proposed changes to the constitution, including to Article 40.1 on equality and Article 41 on the Family.[12][13]
On 8 March 2023, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar marked International Women's Day by announcing the government's intention to hold a referendum in November 2023 to enshrine gender equality in the Constitution by amending Articles 40 and 41.[14][15]
Proposals for constitutional amendments were due to be published by the end of June with a referendum to follow in November.[14] In August 2023, official and political sources told The Irish Times that the referendum was unlikely to take place in November, as planned. Scrutiny of the term "family" by senior officials drafting the text of the amendment had raised thorny questions about its definition and about related gender issues, provoking official caution likely to create delay.[16] The following week, in September, Taoiseach Varadkar announced that the government had decided to hold two referendums on the issue, in the "lifetime of the Government". He said the wordings of the amendments had not yet been finalised.[17]
On 5 December 2023, Varadkar and the Tánaiste, Micheál Martin, confirmed the topics of the two referendums proposed to be held on 8 March 2024.[18][19][20][21] Gender equality was not included in the proposals, to avoid the placing of gender discrimination above other types of discrimination.[22]
Wording
[edit]The bills were presented to the Dáil by Roderic O'Gorman, the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, on 8 December 2023.[23][24] Both bills were passed by the Dáil on 17 January 2024.[25][26][27] They were passed by the Seanad on 23 January.[28][29]
The Family
[edit]The Thirty-Ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023 (bill no. 91 of 2023) proposed to amend Article 41.1.1° to insert the words "whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships". It also proposed the deletion of the words "on which the Family is founded" from Article 41.3.1°.[30]
| Subsection | Current text | Proposed text |
|---|---|---|
| 41.1.1° | The State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law. | The State recognises the Family, whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships, as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law. |
| 41.3.1° | The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack. | The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage and to protect it against attack. |
Care
[edit]The Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023 (bill no. 92 of 2023) proposed to delete Article 41.2 from the Constitution and to insert a new Article 42B. It would also renumber Articles 41.3 and 41.4 as 41.2 and 41.3 respectively. [31][32]
| Article 41.2 proposed to be deleted | Article 42B proposed to be inserted |
|---|---|
| 1° In particular, the State recognises that by her life within the home, woman gives to the State a support without which the common good cannot be achieved.
|
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. |
Campaign
[edit]On 24 January, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage Darragh O'Brien signed an order setting the polling day for both referendums as 8 March, to take place between the hours of 7 a.m. and 10 p.m.[33]
On 25 January, the Electoral Commission launched an information campaign to explain the proposed amendments and promote participation.[34] This was the first time it performed the function, which was previously the responsibility of a Referendum Commission established for each referendum.[35]
The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage estimated the cost of the campaign as between €16 million to €17 million.[36]
Political parties
[edit]Both amendments were supported by the government parties of Fianna Fáil (with Thomas Byrne as director of elections), Fine Gael (with Heather Humphreys as director of elections), and the Green Party (with Pauline O'Reilly as director of elections).[37] Among the opposition parties, they were supported by the Labour Party, the Social Democrats and People Before Profit.[38][39] Sinn Féin was due to decide on the issue at a meeting of their Ard Comhairle on 3 February 2024 and eventually decided on 12 February to support both referendums "despite considerable disappointment with how the government has handled the upcoming proposals for constitutional change".[40][41] On 20 February 2024 Mary Lou McDonald said that Sinn Féin would re-run the Care referendum, with a revised wording, if it is rejected and if Sinn Féin were in government.[42]
Two parties represented in the Dáil, Aontú and Independent Ireland, opposed both amendments.[43][44] Senator Sharon Keogan erected posters advocating a No vote in both referendums, using money raised from a GoFundMe page. One of the posters which read "Don't force mothers out to work...Vote No." was described by the Electoral Commission as "an incorrect representation" of the question people are being asked to vote on.[45] Senator Rónán Mullen and party leader of the Human Dignity Alliance also called for No vote on both amendments.[46]
On 4 March 2024, An Rabharta Glas supported a Yes vote for the Family amendment and a No vote for the Care amendment, describing the latter as a "cynical window-dressing exercise which actually abdicates state responsibility for care and erodes the status of people with disabilities and carers".[47] The Communist Party of Ireland also supported a Yes vote for the Family amendment and a No vote for the Care amendment.[48] The Irish Freedom Party, the National Party, Ireland First, the Centre Party of Ireland, the Farmers' Alliance, The Irish People and the Liberty Republic opposed both amendments.[49][50][51][52][53][54][55] It was reported that the Christian Solidarity Party also opposed both; however this party is not on the Register of Political Parties anymore.[49][56]
The Electoral Commission granted Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, the Green Party and Ireland First status as approved bodies for the referendum campaign.[57][58]
Civil society groups
[edit]The amendments were supported by civil society groups including the National Women's Council of Ireland, Treoir, Family Carers Ireland, One Family, Union of Students in Ireland, and Spark.[59][60][61][62][63] Mary McAleese, a former president of Ireland, and Sinéad Gibney, who had resigned the previous day as the chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, addressed an event hosted by Treoir and One Family to call for Yes votes in both referendums.[64][65][66] The Law Society of Ireland supported a Yes vote in both referendums.[67] This caused disagreement among some solicitors.[68]
Both amendments were opposed by the Iona Institute, Family Solidarity, and the Irish Women's Lobby.[69] Lawyers for No, an ad hoc group including Michael McDowell, Michael McNamara, Brenda Power and Maria Steen, stated their opposition on 29 February.[70] McDowell argued that a person could seek to resist deportation on the grounds of a durable relationship if the Family amendment is approved.[71] A march held in Dublin on 3 February 2024 calling for a No vote in both referendums was attended by around 100 people including Senator Sharon Keogan.[72]
The Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC) supported the Family amendment but did not support the Care amendment, which they described as "implicitly sexist" and "ineffective".[73][74] Both Independent Living Movement Ireland and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties criticised the wording of the Care amendment but neither organisation campaigned against it.[75] A group of disability campaigners, Equality Not Care, called for a No vote on the care referendum.[76] Trinity College Dublin Students' Union endorsed a Yes vote in the Family referendum and a No vote in the Care referendum.[77]
Religious groups
[edit]The Catholic Bishops' Conference said it would not be issuing any public comment until their Spring General Meeting which takes place in the days running up to the vote, however a statement was read out at mass on 25 February 2024 calling for a No vote in both referendums, arguing that Yes votes would weaken the incentive to marry and remove motherhood from the Constitution.[78] Denis Nulty, Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin had expressed concerns about the changes. The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin, Dermot Farrell said that "there will continue to be a moral obligation on governments and public policy to protect the institution of marriage and support vulnerable people and their families regardless of the outcome" and urged people to take part in the democratic process.[79]
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland released a statement that said "The ambiguity and lack of clarity contained within some of the amendments will mean that it is unlikely to introduce meaningful change, which could have been of benefit to society as a whole. The proposed amendment, which seeks to remove the link between marriage and family, is also disappointing, but is an indication of Ireland’s changing culture."[80]
Imam Hussein Halawa of the Islamic Cultural Centre of Ireland stated he did not believe there is a need to amend the Constitution but stopped short of calling for a vote either way. Rabbi Yoni Wieder of the Dublin Hebrew Congregation stated that they would not be taking any stance on the referendum. Michael Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin in the Church of Ireland, declined to make a statement citing the level of debate around the term "durable".[81]
Attorney General advice leak
[edit]The day before the referendum, The Ditch, an online news site, published an article containing leaked advice from Attorney General Rossa Fanning to Roderic O'Gorman on the proposed Care amendment. The advice stated that there was a "lack of guidance from the courts" on how the word "strive" would be interpreted. Both No campaigners and Yes campaigners argued that the advice supported their position.[82][83]
Opinion polling
[edit]The Family
[edit]| Dates conducted |
Polling firm / Commissioner | Sample size | Yes | No | Undecided | Would not vote | Lead | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 March 2024 | Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent | 1,083 | 42% | 23% | 35% | 19% | [84][85] | |
| 16–21 February 2024 | Red-C/The Business Post | 1,009 | 52% | 22% | 20% | 5% | 30% | [86][87] |
| 2–6 February 2024 | Ipsos B&A/The Irish Times | 1,200 | 53% | 15% | 27% | 5% | 38% | [88] |
| 1–2 February 2024 | Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent | 1,394 | 47% | 29% | 24% | 18% | [89] | |
Care
[edit]| Dates conducted |
Polling firm / Commissioner | Sample size | Yes | No | Undecided | Would not vote | Lead | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1–2 March 2024 | Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent | 1,083 | 39% | 24% | 36% | 15% | [84][85] | |
| 16–21 February 2024 | Red-C/The Business Post | 1,009 | 56% | 20% | 19% | 5% | 36% | [86][87] |
| 2–6 February 2024 | Ipsos B&A/The Irish Times | 1,200 | 60% | 12% | 23% | 5% | 48% | [88] |
| 1–2 February 2024 | Ireland Thinks/Sunday Independent | 1,394 | 49% | 27% | 24% | 22% | [89] | |
Voting and counting
[edit]Voting took place from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. on 8 March.[90] Counting began at 9:00 a.m. on 9 March.[91][92][93] The official results were announced separately at Dublin Castle on the evening of 9 March. The result of the Thirty-ninth Amendment referendum on Family was announced shortly before 7:00 p.m. and that of the Fortieth Amendment referendum on Care was announced shortly after 9:00 p.m.[94][95]
Results
[edit]Thirty-ninth Amendment
[edit]| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 No
|
1,021,546 | 67.69 |
| Yes | 487,564 | 32.31 |
| Valid votes | 1,509,110 | 98.94 |
| Invalid or blank votes | 16,105 | 1.06 |
| Total votes | 1,525,215 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,438,566 | 44.36 |
| No: 1,021,546 (67.69%) |
Yes: 487,564 (32.31%) | ||
| ▲ | |||
| Constituency | Electorate | Turnout (%) | Votes | Proportion of votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | Yes | No | |||
| Carlow–Kilkenny | 117,528 | 42.7% | 14,518 | 35,028 | 29.3% | 70.7% |
| Cavan–Monaghan | 108,812 | 44.8% | 10,569 | 37,649 | 21.9% | 78.1% |
| Clare | 90,101 | 44.0% | 12,573 | 26,574 | 32.1% | 67.9% |
| Cork East | 90,343 | 42.5% | 12,048 | 25,925 | 31.7% | 68.3% |
| Cork North-Central | 86,075 | 42.6% | 11,254 | 24,933 | 31.1% | 68.9% |
| Cork North-West | 71,326 | 44.7% | 10,447 | 21,133 | 33.1% | 66.9% |
| Cork South-Central | 89,739 | 45.1% | 15,504 | 24,628 | 38.6% | 61.4% |
| Cork South-West | 67,187 | 42.8% | 10,886 | 17,555 | 38.3% | 61.7% |
| Donegal | 123,452 | 40.0% | 9,669 | 39,181 | 19.8% | 80.2% |
| Dublin Bay North | 105,369 | 50.7% | 20,401 | 32,582 | 38.5% | 61.5% |
| Dublin Bay South | 71,395 | 39.1% | 13,749 | 13,942 | 49.7% | 50.3% |
| Dublin Central | 54,330 | 43.0% | 9,689 | 13,387 | 42.0% | 58.0% |
| Dublin Fingal | 101,393 | 46.9% | 18,846 | 28,296 | 40.0% | 60.0% |
| Dublin Mid-West | 73,673 | 47.6% | 10,031 | 24,727 | 28.9% | 71.1% |
| Dublin North-West | 50,999 | 47.6% | 6,901 | 17,039 | 28.8% | 71.2% |
| Dublin Rathdown | 65,457 | 47.4% | 15,195 | 15,566 | 49.4% | 50.6% |
| Dublin South-Central | 71,834 | 45.6% | 11,103 | 21,209 | 34.4% | 65.6% |
| Dublin South-West | 106,405 | 47.6% | 17,223 | 32,926 | 34.3% | 65.7% |
| Dublin West | 70,483 | 46.2% | 11,930 | 20,327 | 37.0% | 63.0% |
| Dún Laoghaire | 97,315 | 45.5% | 22,073 | 21,818 | 50.3% | 49.7% |
| Galway East | 70,758 | 40.8% | 7,988 | 20,557 | 28.0% | 72.0% |
| Galway West | 99,994 | 41.7% | 13,909 | 27,298 | 33.8% | 66.2% |
| Kerry | 112,263 | 42.6% | 13,580 | 33,741 | 28.7% | 71.3% |
| Kildare North | 83,219 | 48.2% | 15,972 | 23,763 | 40.2% | 59.8% |
| Kildare South | 78,345 | 45.7% | 10,771 | 24,666 | 30.4% | 69.6% |
| Laois-Offaly | 112,150 | 43.7% | 11,776 | 36,703 | 24.3% | 75.7% |
| Limerick City | 75,651 | 43.4% | 10,291 | 22,195 | 31.7% | 68.3% |
| Limerick County | 70,551 | 42.6% | 8,145 | 21,602 | 27.4% | 72.6% |
| Longford–Westmeath | 92,626 | 40.9% | 9,497 | 27,940 | 25.4% | 74.6% |
| Louth | 106,842 | 47.6% | 14,496 | 35,783 | 28.8% | 71.2% |
| Mayo | 97,519 | 43.4% | 10,217 | 31,565 | 24.5% | 75.5% |
| Meath East | 67,867 | 45.9% | 10,035 | 20,931 | 32.4% | 67.6% |
| Meath West | 74,871 | 39.7% | 8,263 | 21,157 | 28.1% | 71.9% |
| Roscommon–Galway | 66,184 | 43.7% | 7,441 | 21,173 | 26.0% | 74.0% |
| Sligo–Leitrim | 93,065 | 42.7% | 11,030 | 28,206 | 28.1% | 71.9% |
| Tipperary | 122,159 | 44.4% | 14,328 | 39,338 | 26.7% | 73.3% |
| Waterford | 85,910 | 42.9% | 11,986 | 24,404 | 32.9% | 67.1% |
| Wexford | 114,653 | 42.5% | 13,348 | 34,791 | 27.7% | 72.3% |
| Wicklow | 100,723 | 51.4% | 19,882 | 31,308 | 38.8% | 61.2% |
| Total | 3,438,566 | 44.4% | 487,564 | 1,021,546 | 32.3% | 67.7% |
Fortieth Amendment
[edit]| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
| No
|
1,114,620 | 73.93 |
| Yes | 393,053 | 26.07 |
| Valid votes | 1,507,673 | 98.85 |
| Invalid or blank votes | 17,548 | 1.15 |
| Total votes | 1,525,221 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,438,566 | 44.36 |
| No: 1,114,620 (73.93%) |
Yes: 393,053 (26.07%) | ||
| ▲ | |||
| Constituency | Electorate | Turnout (%) | Votes | Proportion of votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | Yes | No | |||
| Carlow–Kilkenny | 117,528 | 42.7% | 13,768 | 35,735 | 27.8% | 72.2% |
| Cavan–Monaghan | 108,812 | 44.8% | 9,038 | 39,166 | 18.7% | 81.3% |
| Clare | 90,101 | 44.0% | 10,131 | 28,979 | 25.9% | 74.1% |
| Cork East | 90,343 | 42.5% | 9,619 | 28,320 | 25.3% | 74.7% |
| Cork North-Central | 86,075 | 42.6% | 8,687 | 27,440 | 24.0% | 76.0% |
| Cork North-West | 71,326 | 44.6% | 8,335 | 23,217 | 26.4% | 73.6% |
| Cork South-Central | 89,739 | 45.1% | 11,838 | 28,235 | 29.5% | 70.5% |
| Cork South-West | 67,187 | 42.8% | 8,943 | 19,486 | 31.5% | 68.5% |
| Donegal | 123,452 | 40.0% | 7,834 | 41,030 | 16.0% | 84.0% |
| Dublin Bay North | 105,369 | 50.7% | 15,559 | 37,109 | 29.5% | 70.5% |
| Dublin Bay South | 71,395 | 39.2% | 11,454 | 16,217 | 41.4% | 58.6% |
| Dublin Central | 54,330 | 43.0% | 7,013 | 15,984 | 30.5% | 69.5% |
| Dublin Fingal | 101,393 | 46.9% | 14,695 | 32,391 | 31.2% | 68.8% |
| Dublin Mid-West | 73,673 | 47.6% | 7,525 | 27,201 | 21.7% | 78.3% |
| Dublin North-West | 50,999 | 47.6% | 4,902 | 18,992 | 20.5% | 79.5% |
| Dublin Rathdown | 65,457 | 47.4% | 12,619 | 18,080 | 41.1% | 58.9% |
| Dublin South-Central | 71,834 | 45.6% | 7,904 | 24,379 | 24.5% | 75.5% |
| Dublin South-West | 106,405 | 47.6% | 13,225 | 36,881 | 26.4% | 73.6% |
| Dublin West | 70,483 | 46.2% | 9,357 | 22,893 | 29.0% | 71.0% |
| Dún Laoghaire | 97,315 | 45.5% | 18,527 | 25,370 | 42.2% | 57.8% |
| Galway East | 70,758 | 40.8% | 6,289 | 22,222 | 22.1% | 77.9% |
| Galway West | 99,994 | 41.7% | 10,660 | 30,567 | 25.9% | 74.1% |
| Kerry | 112,263 | 42.6% | 11,458 | 35,809 | 24.2% | 75.8% |
| Kildare North | 83,219 | 48.2% | 12,628 | 27,054 | 31.8% | 68.2% |
| Kildare South | 78,345 | 45.7% | 8,380 | 27,051 | 23.7% | 76.3% |
| Laois-Offaly | 112,150 | 43.7% | 9,674 | 38,779 | 20.0% | 80.0% |
| Limerick City | 75,651 | 43.4% | 8,096 | 24,322 | 25.0% | 75.0% |
| Limerick County | 70,551 | 42.6% | 6,750 | 22,981 | 22.7% | 77.3% |
| Longford–Westmeath | 92,626 | 40.9% | 8,023 | 29,412 | 21.4% | 78.6% |
| Louth | 106,842 | 47.6% | 11,506 | 38,775 | 22.9% | 77.1% |
| Mayo | 97,519 | 43.3% | 9,009 | 32,807 | 21.5% | 78.5% |
| Meath East | 67,867 | 45.9% | 7,993 | 22,942 | 25.8% | 74.2% |
| Meath West | 74,871 | 39.7% | 6,542 | 22,840 | 22.3% | 77.7% |
| Roscommon–Galway | 66,184 | 43.7% | 6,295 | 22,293 | 22.0% | 78.0% |
| Sligo–Leitrim | 93,065 | 42.7% | 9,210 | 30,011 | 23.5% | 76.5% |
| Tipperary | 122,159 | 44.4% | 12,083 | 41,500 | 22.6% | 77.4% |
| Waterford | 85,910 | 42.9% | 9,675 | 26,753 | 26.6% | 73.4% |
| Wexford | 114,653 | 42.5% | 12,477 | 35,619 | 25.9% | 74.1% |
| Wicklow | 100,723 | 51.4% | 15,332 | 35,778 | 30.0% | 70.0% |
| Total | 3,438,566 | 44.4% | 393,053 | 1,114,620 | 26.1% | 73.9% |
Reactions
[edit]Following the release of final results, Varadkar acknowledged that the electorate had delivered "two wallops" to the government[98] and said that it would respect the result. The Leader of the Opposition Mary Lou McDonald said that the government had "come up short in terms of the caring wording" and that there had been a "lack of clarity", but insisted that her party was still "very much" in touch with the public. Aontú supporters gathered to celebrate the referendum result at the courtyard of Dublin Castle.[99]
An exit poll carried out by Ireland Thinks for the Sunday Independent gave a breakdown of voting patterns based on party support and identified some of the reasons for the No vote in each referendum. It found that only Fine Gael and Green Party supporters had a majority voting Yes in the Care Referendum, with Labour Party supporters evenly split. All other party supporters voted against the Care amendment by a margin of greater than 70 per cent. In the Family Referendum, supporters of Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin and Independents overwhelmingly voted No, while supporters of Fine Gael, the Green Party, Social Democrats and People Before Profit voted Yes. Reasons for voting No in the Family referendum included lack of clarity in the wording and opposition to, or distrust of the government. Reasons for voting No in the Care referendum included vague or poor wording, and concerns about government responsibility and support for carers.[100]
Fianna Fáil politicians Lisa Chambers, Niamh Smyth, Willie O'Dea, John McGuinness and Éamon Ó Cuív caused controversy when they admitted to having voted No on one or both referendums, despite the party's position being a Yes vote on both referendums.[101][102]
Less than two weeks after the result of the referendums was announced, Varadkar announced his decision to step down as Taoiseach. Some media outlets linked this decision to the failure of both referendums; however, Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan said he did not believe it was the "defining reason" for the resignation.[103][104]
References
[edit]- ^ a b McMorrow, Conor (9 March 2024). "Second major defeat for Govt as voters reject Care referendum". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Bray, Jennifer (9 March 2024). "Family and care referendums comprehensively defeated". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ McMorrow, Conor (9 March 2024). "Resounding defeat for Family referendum as 67.7% vote No". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Ó Cionnaith, Fiachra (9 March 2024). "Care referendum sees highest ever no vote in Irish ref history". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ McMorrow, Conor (9 March 2024). "Resounding defeat for Family referendum as 67.7% vote No". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Four-fifths of Donegal voters reject referendums". RTÉ News. 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Constitution of Ireland: Amendment of the Constitution (Article 46)". Irish Statute Book. Archived from the original on 23 April 2022. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ "Ministers Flanagan and Stanton announce Referendum to Repeal Article 41.2 of the Constitution". Government of Ireland (Press release). 5 July 2018. Archived from the original on 29 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Statement by Minister Flanagan regarding proposed referendum on Article 41.2". MerrionStreet.ie (Press release). 5 September 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Report of the Citizens' Assembly on Gender Equality" (PDF). Citizens' Assembly. June 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on 19 January 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Committee on Gender Equality". Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Joint Committee on Gender Equality publishes Final Report - 'Unfinished Democracy'". Houses of the Oireachtas (Press release). 14 December 2022. Archived from the original on 18 December 2022. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Joint Committee on Gender Equality (14 December 2022). "Unfinished Democracy: Achieving Gender Equality" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Referendum on gender equality to take place in November". RTÉ News. 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 9 March 2023. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Taoiseach and Minister O'Gorman announce holding of referendum on gender equality". Government of Ireland (Press release). Department of the Taoiseach. 8 March 2023. Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ "Doubts grow over 'women in the home' referendum". The Irish Times. 28 August 2023. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ Cunningham, Paul (6 September 2023). "Government to hold two referendums on gender equality, says Taoiseach". RTÉ News. Archived from the original on 1 November 2023. Retrieved 1 November 2023.
- ^ "Statement from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage". Government of Ireland (Press release). Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Referendums on family and care to be held in March 2024". RTÉ News. 5 December 2023. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 23 December 2023.
- ^ Bolton, Michael (5 December 2023). "Referendums on women in the home and concept of family to take place next March". BreakingNews.ie. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Finn, Christina (5 December 2023). "Referendums on 'women in the home' reference and wider definition of family to be held in March". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ Finn, Christina (5 December 2023). "Referendums on 'women in the home' reference and wider definition of family to be held in March". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 5 December 2023. Retrieved 5 December 2023.
- ^ "Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023". Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023". Oireachtas. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2023.
- ^ "Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages - Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) - Vol. 1048 No. 1". Oireachtas. 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages - Dáil Éireann (33rd Dáil) - Vol. 1048 No. 1". Oireachtas. 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "'Durable' relationships, 'throuples' and care in the home discussed in referendums Dáil debate". 17 January 2024. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages - Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad) - Vol. 298 No. 3". Oireachtas. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023: Committee and Remaining Stages - Seanad Éireann (26th Seanad) - Vol. 298 No. 3". Oireachtas. 23 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ "Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023 (As passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas)" (PDF). Oireachtas. 23 January 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Government approves proposals for referendums on family and care" (Press release). 7 December 2023. Archived from the original on 17 January 2024. Retrieved 17 January 2024.
- ^ "Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023 (As passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas)" (PDF). Oireachtas. 23 January 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Referendum Polling Day Order 2024" (PDF). Iris Oifigiúil. 2024 (8): 102. 26 January 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 8 March 2024.
- ^ Dawson, Brian (25 January 2024). "Referendums Campaign Launches with Commitment to Independent, Clear and Accessible Information". Electoral Commission (Press release). Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
- ^ Dawson, Brian (8 March 2023). "Electoral Commission to Inform Public Debate and Participation in Gender Equality Referendum". Electoral Commission (Press release). Archived from the original on 14 April 2023. Retrieved 14 April 2023.
- ^ Bray, Jennifer (29 February 2024). "Referendums: Nearly 40,000 apply to vote in 48 hours before registration deadline". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Philip (3 February 2024). "Fury in Fianna Fáil over appointment of male minister to oversee 'women in the home' referendum campaign". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 3 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ O'Cearbhaill, Muiris (24 January 2024). "Labour to support a Yes vote in upcoming referendums after party's rewording not accepted". Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ McQuinn, Cormac; Bray, Jennifer. "Sinn Féin and Social Democrats set to campaign for 'Yes-Yes' vote in upcoming referendums". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 28 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Ryan, Philip (26 January 2024). "'We have not yet taken a position' – Sinn Féin says it will reveal stance on referendums next week". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ McDonald, Mary Lou (12 February 2024). "Sinn Féin will support proposals for constitutional change, but much more must be done to support families and carers" (Press release). Sinn Fein. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Regan, Mary (20 February 2024). "Sinn Féin would re-run care referendum if rejected on 8 March". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Molony, Senan (13 February 2024). "Aontú only political party advocating for No-No vote on upcoming referendums on care and family". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Independent Ireland [@independent_ire] (4 March 2024). "The impact of this referendum on immigration law, tax law and family law is unknown. The lack of clarity on "durable relationships" may cause chaos in our courts. If you don't know, VOTE NO NO" (Tweet). Retrieved 6 March 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ MacRedmond, David (8 March 2024). "Electoral Commission: Referendum poster by Senator Sharon Keogan 'an incorrect representation'". TheJournal.ie. Archived from the original on 5 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ Rónán Mullen [@RonanMullen] (6 March 2024). "Here are my reasons for seeking a NO / NO vote" (Tweet). Retrieved 10 March 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Rabharta (@AnRabhartaGlas@mastodon.ie)". 4 March 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Communist Party of Ireland (4 March 2024). "Irish Communists say Vote Yes | No in the upcoming referendum on amending the constitution". Retrieved 10 March 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ a b Loughlin, Elaine (19 February 2024). "Ireland is voting in two referendums on March 8 - here is what you need to know". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ National Party [@NationalPartyIE] (7 March 2024). "National Party members were out nationwide today with the final push for a NO vote in tomorrow's referendums" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Ireland First [@IrelandFirst23] (7 March 2024). "This is our final post ahead of tomorrow's referendum" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Reject the Family and Care Amendment: A Threat to Family Rights and State Responsibility". Centre Party of Ireland. 5 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ Farmers' Alliance (7 March 2024). "Just before we head off to vote in the referendums tomorrow, it's worth taking a moment to watch this video by Lawyers for No". Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ The Irish People [@The_IrishPeople] (7 March 2024). "NO2Both The hardest working crew in Ireland, 100 towns in 13 days #VoteNoNo 💪 🙏 " (Tweet). Retrieved 9 March 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Liberty Republic (2 March 2024). "Liberty Republic is asking you to do the right thing on March 8th". Retrieved 13 April 2024 – via Facebook.
- ^ "Register of Political Parties". Electoral Commission. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Dawson, Brian (23 February 2024). "Parties Confirmed as "Approved Bodies" for 8 March Referendums". Electoral Commission (Press release). Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ McGee, Harry (24 February 2024). "National Party fails in bid to be granted 'approved body' status in referendums". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "NWC launch #VoteYesYes Referendum Campaign". National Women's Council of Ireland. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "John O'Meara Wins Case for Widow's Pension for Cohabiting Parents in Supreme Court". Treoir. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Family Carers Ireland Launches 'YesYes' Campaign for Historic Care Referendum". Family Carers Ireland. 18 January 2024. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Murray, Sean (15 January 2024). "'Vote for a fairer Ireland': Single parent support group calls for yes vote in referendum". Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Matthews, Jane (6 February 2024). "'A first step for carers and disabled people': Yes Yes referendum campaign launched today". Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ McGarry, Patsy (1 March 2024). "Referendums: Yes votes will see 'new realities' put into dated parts of Constitution, McAleese says". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Burnhill, Eleanor (1 March 2024). "McAleese calls for yes vote in referendums". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ O'Connell, Hugh (27 February 2024). "Irish human rights watchdog chief to resign this week and will campaign for Yes votes in family and care referendums". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ Carolan, Mary (2 March 2024). "Law Society calls for Yes-Yes vote in family and care referendums". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ Carolan, Mary (5 March 2024). "Some solicitors unhappy with call by Law Society's council for Yes vote in referendums". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 6 March 2024. Retrieved 6 March 2024.
- ^ Bray, Jennifer (3 February 2024). "Who's who? The Yes and No camps in the March 8th family and care referendums". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 4 February 2024. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
- ^ Carolan, Mary (29 February 2024). "Lawyers group urge No vote in family and care referendums". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 29 February 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Regan, Mary (2 March 2024). "Countdown to polling on 8 March twin referendums". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 2 March 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Around 100 people attend march calling for No vote". RTÉ. 3 February 2024. Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ Carolan, Mary (19 February 2024). "Legal body criticises 'sexist' amendment on carers". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ "FLAC Legal and Human Rights Analysis of the Proposed Family & Care Constitutional Amendments". FLAC. 19 February 2024. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Carolan, Mary (20 February 2024). "Care amendment criticised by two more bodies in further blow to Yes Yes referendum campaign". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 20 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Coyne, Ellen (22 February 2024). "Family and care referendums: Who's who in the Yes and No camps as both sides prepare for March 8 vote". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ Kenny, Ellen (3 March 2024). "TCDSU endorse #YesNo vote in upcoming family and care referendums". Trinity News. Archived from the original on 8 March 2024. Retrieved 5 March 2024.
- ^ McGarry, Patsy (25 February 2024). "Catholic bishops call for No vote in both March referendums". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ McGarry, Patsy (1 March 2024). "Archbishop of Dublin calls on voters to remember values of 'Catholic tradition' in referendums". IrishTimes. Archived from the original on 1 March 2024. Retrieved 1 March 2024.
- ^ "Presbyterian Ireland. org Family and Care referendum - a missed opportunity". Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ MacDonald, Sarah (19 February 2024). "Referendums 2024: What are the views of the Catholic Church and other major faiths in Ireland?". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 19 February 2024. Retrieved 19 February 2024.
- ^ Moore, Jane (7 March 2024). "Attorney General's advice to minister leaked ahead of referendums". The Journal. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ "Attorney general's advice to government on two referenda in full". OnTheDitch.com. 7 March 2024. Archived from the original on 7 March 2024. Retrieved 7 March 2024.
- ^ a b Kevin Cunningham (3 March 2024). "Poll: Uncertainty among voters could lead to a referendum surprise yet". The Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 3 March 2024. Retrieved 3 March 2024.
- ^ a b O'Connell, Hugh (3 March 2024). "Revealed: Michelle O'Neill now the most popular leader in Ireland but Sinn Féin support drops to lowest level since 2021". Archived from the original on 4 March 2024. Retrieved 4 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Opinion Poll Report February 2024" (PDF). Business Post. 25 February 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ a b Thomas, Cónal (25 February 2024). "Majority of voters say they will vote yes on two upcoming referendums". Business Post. Archived from the original on 25 February 2024. Retrieved 25 February 2024.
- ^ a b Pat Leahy (9 February 2024). "Clear majority of voters intend to vote Yes in both referendums, poll shows". The Irish Times. Archived from the original on 21 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ a b "Ireland Thinks February 2024 poll results". Sunday Independent. 4 February 2024. p. 11.
- ^ "Early indications Irish referendums could be lost". BBC News. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Early vote counts suggest attempt to modernise Irish constitution has failed". The Guardian. 9 March 2024. ISSN 0261-3077. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Ireland family and care referendums: Counting continues". BBC News. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Referendums look set to be comprehensively defeated". RTÉ News. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 9 March 2024.
- ^ "Resounding No-No result in Family and Care referendums as majority of voters reject government proposals". Irish Independent. 9 March 2024. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ McDermott, Stephen (9 March 2024). "It's official: The Care referendum has been defeated". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 13 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023". Referendum Returning Officer. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ a b "Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023". Referendum Returning Officer. 9 March 2024. Archived from the original on 2 February 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Irish prime minister concedes defeat in a vote over constitutional amendments about family and women". Associated Press. 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ "Irish referendums: Voters reject changes to family and care definition". BBC. 10 March 2024. Archived from the original on 9 March 2024. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
- ^ Corcoran, Jody (10 March 2024). "Exit poll reveals anger behind No vote - and how supporters of political parties voted in both referendums". Sunday Independent. Archived from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ Bray, Jennifer (12 March 2024). "'It didn't sit right with me': Government politicians admit to voting No in referendums". The Irish Times. Retrieved 15 March 2024.
- ^ McCormack, Cian (12 March 2024). "Four Government TDs voted No in Family and Care referendums". RTÉ News. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Balls, Katy (20 March 2024). "Leo Varadkar resigns following crushing referendum defeat". The Spectator.
- ^ "Eamon Ryan says referendum defeats not a 'key factor' in Varadkar resignation". Irish Independent. 20 March 2024.
Further reading
[edit]- Cahillane, Laura (2017). "Revisiting Article 41.2". Dublin University Law Journal. 40 (2): 107–126.
- McDonnell, Patrice; Howlett, Etaoine (13 December 2023). "Bill Digest: Thirty-ninth Amendment of the Constitution (The Family) Bill 2023" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas.
- McLoughlin, Karen; Loughnane, Cliona (13 December 2023). "Bill Digest: Fortieth Amendment of the Constitution (Care) Bill 2023" (PDF). Houses of the Oireachtas.
