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LAST UPDATE | 9 Mar 2024
BOTH THE FAMILY and Care referendums have been comprehensively rejected by the electorate.
The Family amendment was rejected by 67.7% of voters, while the Care amendment was rejected by 73.9%.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar conceded defeat earlier, saying the Government clearly “got it wrong”.
Updates from Mairead Maguire, Órla Ryan, Daragh Brophy and Rónán Duffy.
Good morning!
Here’s how it’s likely to work today.
The 39th Amendment on the Family will be counted first.
Once complete, the overall national result for this specific referendum will be announced by the Referendum Returning Officer, Barry Ryan, at Dublin Castle.
Once the results for the Family referendum have been announced, the counting of the ballots for the 40th Amendment on Care will begin.
The Department of Housing and Local Government did not indicate expected timings for results to be announced, stating that it really all depends on voter turnout.
However, the first referendum result is expected some time in the early afternoon and we should no the results of the two referendums later in the evening.
Our Political Reporter Jane Matthews is down in the RDS to see Dublin boxes being opened, she’ll be among the first to get a sense of how the country voted.
At the RDS where counting is just about to get underway.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 9, 2024
Family first, then Care. Updates throughout the day on @thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/3QzgcrvvDN
Jane Matthews has got a look at the boxes being opened, specifically Dublin Central and Dublin South West.
Obviously it’s embryonic stages of the count, but her main takeaway is that there are a lot of No votes.
Here’s a flavour from Jane in the RDS:
I’m just keeping an eye on Dublin Central boxes at the moment. Have looked at four or five boxes and in the Care vote and it’s overwhelmingly No, I’d say like 90% No.
Family again overwhelmingly No, but a bit more mixed, it looks like that’s going to be closer. A few spoiled ballots, like an X in each box or no marks on paper at all. But yeah, they both look overwhelming No at the moment. Same for Dublin South West, exact same
Huge number of No’s in both referendums in Dublin North West and Dublin Central from the boxes I’ve been watching so far.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 9, 2024
Family looking to be closer than Care.@thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/P0S3InIo4Q
For the first time, voters on Ireland’s islands voted on the same day as the rest of the country yesterday.
RTÉ’s North West Correspondent reports however that bad weather slowed the delivery of the votes from the Áran Islands to the Galway count centre.
Sorting of ballot papers under way in #galwaywest #Ref24 four boxes from the Áran Islands yet to arrive - bad weather stopped them last night but they are en route now pic.twitter.com/ANmjNSd9mG
— EileenMagnier (@EileenMagnier) March 9, 2024
Former Labour TD and junior minister Kevin Humphreys is always a good man for an accurate tally.
This tally from Ballyfermot in Dublin South Central shows an avalanche of Nos across both votes.
— Kevin Humphreys (@KHumphreysDBS) March 9, 2024
In his own words, this is Kevin’s early summary of the Family referendum:
Family 50-50 leaning towards a no on early boxes #Referendum2024 #Ref24
— Kevin Humphreys (@KHumphreysDBS) March 9, 2024
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín TD, who campaigned on the No side in both votes, shares this image the Kerry Count Centre.
Not clear whether Peadar took the photo himself but the trend is clear.
Early tallys in Kerry leaning heavily towards a no vote. pic.twitter.com/bYpMfttgZg
— Peadar Tóibín TD (@Toibin1) March 9, 2024
Some more observations from our reporter Jane Matthews in the RDS, she says a Sandymount box in Dublin Bay South, which had the highest Yes vote in the Marriage Equality referendum, also appears to be “swinging No” in the care referendum.
It’s a similar story across the Liffey, where a box in Glasnevin is also a clear No on both votes.
Glasnevin Tally here from Dublin North West
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 9, 2024
43% Yes 57% No - Family
30% Yes 70% No - Care pic.twitter.com/MP7ua6CcJ8
RTÉ’s Barry Lenihan giving a quick nationwide roundup of tallies.
Spoiler, they’re not good news for the government.
Tallies very patchy nationwide but all pointing towards No
— Barry Lenihan (@BarryLenihan) March 9, 2024
4 boxes in Kingscourt Cavan showed only a handful of Yes votes
Sample in Birr Offaly showed 80% No in Family vote
In Mountmellick Laois 65% No for Family
Early indications in Meath East and Mayo are for a strong No
10am: Calling it. It’s a No/No. @VirginMediaNews
— Gavan Reilly (@gavreilly) March 9, 2024
Virgin Media’s Political Correspondent Gavan Reilly is calling it as a No/No. So a rejection of both referendums.
We hear that RTÉ is going to wait until much later but as it stands it appears to be only going one way.
Some pictures from the RDS count centre.
Green Party Minister of State Joe O’Brien has arrived at the RDS.
Speaking to The Journal he said he is disappointed with what he has seen from the tallies so far but that they are just tallies.
“It’s early days, the vote isn’t completed”.
Whatever the outcome we need to respect the vote. When we have the final vote we will have to untangle it a little bit as to why people voted in different ways.
When asked if he thinks there was an element of a protest vote he said: “maybe there’s an element of that.”
The political reaction is already coming in. Some opposition parties are already looking at a rerun vote with different wording.
Crap wording, crap campaign, crap government.
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) March 9, 2024
This is the result.
Left parties should commit to proposing a referendum recognising and supporting care inside and outside of the home and the rights of people with disabilities.
Down at the RDS Count Centre, Labour leader Ivana Bacik saying “ultimately the failure is the government’s fault”.
Bacik, who herself campaigned for a Yes Yes vote, said the apparent result is “very disappointing”.
“I spoke with many, many people, I don’t think anyone could fault the Labour Party for the campaign we ran, we were out canvassing, we were active and I was very actively engaged in debates on the media and off the media too.”
Whoever I spoke to about this, the reason they tended to vote No was not because they wanted to see retention of the sexist and outdated language and Article 41.2, rather, it was concerns about the replacement text.
Senator Michael McDowell, who had campaigned for a No-No vote, says that the government is “out of touch with public opinion” as it appears that’s the way the vote is going.
Micheal McDowell at the RDS earlier. Says the tallies so far show the government is “out of touch with public opinion”.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 9, 2024
Says €20mn was wasted on these referendums.@thejournal_ie pic.twitter.com/HGNXmH99yt
Green Party leader Minister Eamon Ryan is speaking to reporters in the RDS.
He thinks the writing is on the wall and it “does look like a No vote in both referendums”. He adds that votes remain to be counted.
Asked “what went wrong” for the government, he says:
I don’t think you can respect the people’s vote by saying, oh, ‘what went wrong, the people didn’t vote the right way’. The people are sovereign in this.
Asked what went wrong for his party’s campaign, he says: “I don’t accept that our campaign did go wrong. It’s the vote of the people, they decide, to depict that as wrong isn’t respectful of the electorate.”
Why was the Green Party’s campaign defeated then?
Both are complex issues. And there were a myriad of reasons to vote No, I think we’ll have to parse through it … It took a long time to come up with the wording because it’s not easy, it’s actually quite complicated when you’re looking to change the Constitution in any way.
Asked if the referendums should be run again, he says:
“I think probably the next government is going to have to come back and look at this. And I think they’ll have to consider the campaign and consider what were the arguments that merited a No vote.”
Referendum returning officer Barry Ryan spoke to RTÉ’s Miriam O’Callaghan at Dublin Castle a little while ago.
He said that, as fewer tallies are happening around the country compared to general elections, it could be some time before a clear picture of the result emerges. (Political figures on either side, as we’ve seen so far, are being a lot more direct about the expected results).
Ryan also gave this estimate on when we might see official results:
“So when the ballot papers are separated, the referendum in relation to the Family will be will be counted first.
“It’s always difficult to predict the timelines around declarations but we would hope that we would have a declaration on the first referendum sometime maybe mid- to late- afternoon, to be followed by the second one then a couple of hours later.”
He said turnout picked up later in the day yesterday after a sluggish start.
Follow this thread from The Journal’s Sadbh Cox for some glimpses of what it’s like at the RDS this afternoon where counting for five Dublin constituencies is under way.
There were reports earlier that a bat had been found (and gently moved to safety) from the count centre in Limerick – no signs of any winged creatures so far in Dublin 4, but we’ll keep a lookout.
And now for something completely different.
A bat has been rescued from Limerick Count Centre. There is no indication as to how he voted.
He’s been named ‘Count Refula’ by staff, according to journalist David Raleigh who captured this footage.
One of the counting staff, Laurence Callaghan, had to remove the bat from the count centre this morning.
Senator Tom Clonan, a disability rights campaigner, has welcomed the fact the Care Referendum looks likely to be defeated.
Speaking to RTÉ News at Dublin Castle, Clonan said: “If this had passed, it would have been in contravention of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, specifically Article 19. In fact, I think it would have brought Ireland into disrepute if this wording had been supported by the Irish public.”
Prior to the vote, Clonan had raised concerns about the wording of the proposed amendment, in particular the use of the word ‘strive’.
He today said this word was “very carefully chosen to indemnify the State, to give them an opt out from providing support to families”.
Article 19 of the UN Convention says States must recognise “the equal right of all persons with disabilities to live in the community, with choices equal to others, and shall take effective and appropriate measures to facilitate full enjoyment by persons with disabilities of this right and their full inclusion and participation in the community”.
With it looking like a No vote in both the Family and Care referendums across the country, Government and opposition parties are both going to have some serious soul searching to do in the weeks ahead.
As votes continue to be counted, our political reporter Jane Matthews has rounded up the political reaction so far.
Senator Rónán Mullen, who campaigned for a No/No vote, said the rejection of both amendments is a “damning” verdict on political leadership class.
“You can’t ignore for years the importance of promoting marriage as the bedrock of a stable society and then try to get rid of the only Constitutional incentive to marriage. The Government must now, in the light of today’s result, commit to policies to promote marriage as an institution that serves our society well.
“You can’t use a promised recognition of care as the carrot to entice people to get rid of the only bit of Constitutional support that’s there for mothers and the vital work they do for us all. The Government must reflect on what it must do in future to promote recognition for fathers and carers without diluting the special Constitutional pledge to support motherhood,” Mullen said.
Independent TD for Laois Offaly Carol Nolan has also welcomed the likely No/No vote.
“While we await final confirmation that both referendum propositions have been defeated, I think it is safe to say that the people have sent a very clear message to Government; we no longer want any kind of relationship with you, durable or otherwise.
“If the No/No camp carries the day then it will effectively amount to a political earthquake; although I hold out no real hope such an outcome will be enough to generate serious reflection on how far they are out of touch with ordinary people,” Nolan said in a statement.
One vote counter for Dublin North West today will be leaving the RDS having done two good deeds, Jane Matthews reports.
A gentleman from Dublin who wished to remain unnamed told The Journal that while he was working at a voting station in the capital yesterday he witnessed a driving licence and a Padre Pio medal accidentally make their way into ballot boxes.
The man made it his first task this morning to find the box in question and will now return the medal, which had been passed down generations, and the licence to their respective owners.
Sinn Féin’s Eoin Ó Broin has said his party fully accepts the result and respects the views of the public.
Speaking on RTÉ’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongain, he said the “primary responsibility for the failure of both referendums lies with Government”.
He said it became clear in recent days that the Care amendment was going to be defeated significantly, and agreed there was much confusion around the proposed wording of the Family amendment and ‘durable relationships’.
Sinn Féin TD Maurice Quinlivan has called for Minister Roderic O’Gorman, whose department oversaw the referendum campaign, to “resign immediately”.
Speaking in Limerick today – as indications were that the country had rejected both referendums – Quinlivan said: “This has been a catastrophic failure by Government who, in their arrogance, listened to nobody.
“There was no prelegislative scrutiny, even though Sinn Féin and others requested this and the Children’s Committee was willing to sit for as long as it took.”
“The Government arrogantly pressed on without clarifying issues that they knew would cause problems.
“Specific interventions by An Taoiseach around Care with his Thatcherite-type comments, Micheál Martin’s arrogant mansplaining on TV isolated a load of people, the use of the word ‘strive’ sent a shudder through most carers, and many people with disabilities felt left behind.”
Speaking to The Journal earlier, Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell said it is a fantastic day for the ordinary people of Ireland.
He said he never expected what “appears now to be a landslide” and added that a lot of organisations will have serious analysis to do with regards to their read of the public mood.
Craughwell added that he initially thought the results would be tight. He said the Government now must sit back and “learn to listen” after they “rammed” this through the Oireachtas.
An Coimisiún Toghcháin, Ireland’s Electoral Commission, has set out the final details of its information campaign which launched on 25 January for the two referendums.
Over the six weeks of the campaign period, An Coimisiún Toghcháin:
This is the first electoral event since the commission was established in February 2023.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald has laid the blame for the failed Yes/Yes campaign firmly at the feet of the Government, denying her party is out of touch with general public for backing a Yes/Yes vote.
She said Sinn Féin has always been in favour of “removing sexist language from the Constitution” in relation to the reference to women’s place ‘in the home’ and in favour of “an inclusive definition of families”, but “knew that the Government had come up short in terms of the caring wording” and disregarded the recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald heckled by protestors while speaking to media in the courtyard of Dublin Castle and moved inside @thejournal_ie #referendum2024 pic.twitter.com/b6Eb3Uav2K
— Sadbh Cox (@SadbhCox) March 9, 2024
McDonald was heckled while speaking to the media at Dublin Castle this afternoon, being called “a traitor to the Irish people”.
Mary Lou McDonald asked about putting on another referendum says there is no question of running the same wording again, if SF are in Govt.
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 9, 2024
She says she really dislikes the language of women’s duties in the home, says she hopes we would return to it. pic.twitter.com/yhGP5VjM0N
McDonald also said Sinn Fein will “return to” considerations of the “sexist language” in Ireland’s Constitution if the party is in the next Government.
“The propositions that have been put by Government have failed, so there’s no question of re-running those,” she told reporters.
Since it was first written, republican women have railed against sexist language in respect of women in the Constitution, and it’s something that I would hope we will return to.
“The people have come out and they’ve spoken very, very definitively. Let me reiterate our commitment to vindicating the rights of people with disabilities, the rights of carers, the rights of families and of women.
“Let me just say, it is now my view that it will fall to the next Government to fully vindicate those. What does that mean? It means policy platforms, it means legislation that provides for all of those rights.
“It’s about the right decisions in terms of resources and where they’re placed and it’s my view, for what it’s worth, that caring and carers are so central to the Irish life, the rights of people with disabilities are absolutely central, and I think they are worthy of constitutional protection, but that will fall to the next Government.”
Aontú leader Peadar Tóibín, a former Sinn Féin TD, described the rejection of both referendums as “tremendous”.
He said the proposed amendments were “very clearly virtue signalling” and “provided no benefit to people at all”.
Tóibín, a former member of Sinn Fein, says May Lou McDonald’s leadership is ‘marooned’, says she misjudged the view of the grassroots in her party. pic.twitter.com/HXgKnCaZZA
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 9, 2024
Labour leader Ivana Bacik said today’s result is “very disappointing”. Her party had campaigned for a Yes/Yes vote.
A very disappointing result for #YesYes supporters today. Speaking earlier, I said that Gov have responsibility for both their choice of wording & their lacklustre campaign. But we in @labour will continue working towards #Equality #AnIrelandthatWorksForAll https://t.co/tNaBvnEe1i
— Ivana Bacik (@ivanabacik) March 9, 2024
Independent TD Thomas Pringle has joined those criticising the Government’s handling of the campaign.
He accused the Government of ignoring the Attorney General’s advice and “squandering taxpayer money on poorly vetted proposals”.
▪ Govt ignored Attorney General's advice, squandering taxpayer money on poorly vetted proposals.
— Thomas Pringle T.D. (@ThomasPringleTD) March 9, 2024
▪Conflicting statements from Minister & AG left people in the dark.
▪The Govt failed to grasp legal consequences, risking increased litigation flagged by AG.#Referendum2024
Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman, whose department oversaw the Yes/Yes campaign, said the Government is “disappointed” by the result, adding it’s “clear it’s been defeated”.
O’Gorman defended holding the vote on International Women’s Day. He acknowledged that running the referendums alongside the local and European elections in June might have resulted in a higher turnout, and more time for the Government to set out its stall, but he’s not convinced that would have meant a different outcome.
‘We didn’t convince people’ says Minister Roderic O’Gorman pic.twitter.com/UvYsGzm3aD
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 9, 2024
Varadkar: ‘Clearly we got it wrong’
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 9, 2024
He says referendums have been lost around 13 times before in all.
Asked who had the idea to run it on international women’s day, he says the decision was made there would be too many ballot papers in June for voters.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has also conceded defeat, telling reporters in Dublin: “Clearly we got in wrong. Enda Kenny famously said once that the electorate often gives the Government a wallop – this is two wallops.”
Varadkar said he realised the “tide was turning” in the last two weeks, particularly in relation to the Care amendment.
Taoiseach says he realised the tide was turning in the last two weeks - particularly on Care.
— Jane Matthews (@janeematthews) March 9, 2024
He says this was because he could see there were groups against a Yes vote from two different sides - he says from experience this is when you know you are in trouble.
The Taoiseach said today’s result will not stop the Government continuing to work for carers and those with disabilities, but that it had failed to convince people about the necessity for the referendums.
One Family, the national organisation for one-parent families, has said it is beyond devastated by the No result. The group had campaigned for a Yes/Yes vote.
Karen Kiernan, One Family CEO, said: “To say that we as an organisation are devastated by this result is an understatement. It is so disappointing that this opportunity to include unmarried and single parent families in our Constitution has been rejected by the Irish people.
“Our founders have been campaigning for this for over 50 years. They started working in the 1970s to abolish illegitimacy, to get a small social welfare payment and to ensure single parents could no longer be fired or evicted.
“The fact that their heartfelt desire for their families to be included in the Constitution is no longer a reality in their lifetimes is a massive rejection to them.”
Kiernan thanked voters for their consideration of the amendments, and said the organisation will regroup “to work in solidarity towards a more equal Ireland for all people – children, parents, families, disabled people, carers and others that are often left behind”.
More reaction from Taoiseach Leo Varadkar who said the Government “accepts the results and will respect it fully”.
“As head of Government, on behalf of the Government, we accept responsibility for the results. It was our responsibility to convince a majority of people to vote yes and we clearly failed to do so.
“I think we struggled to convince people of the necessity or need for the referendum at all, let alone detail on the wording. That’s obviously something we’re going to have to reflect on into the weeks ahead.
“What I do want to say to people, though, is that when it comes to the work of Government, in relation to gender equality, in relation to improving conditions for carers, in relation to giving rights for people with disabilities, that work will continue.”
Earlier Varadkar referred to remarks by then-Taoiseach Enda Kenny when voters rejected the Seanad referendum in 2013.
Reacting to the rejection of that amendment at the time, Kenny said: “Sometimes in politics you get a wallop in an electoral process.”
Varadkar said the Government got “two wallops” today.
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said the result of the two referendums is “clear”.
“The majority were not persuaded by the arguments for changing the Constitution in this way. It is a core strength of our Constitution that the people have the final say. We fully respect their decision.
There is no single reason why these proposals were rejected and, like all who supported them, we will reflect on this over time. After today, 13 different proposals have been rejected in referendums.
“While the constitutional change was rejected, it is clear that the need for continued action to support families and to respect principles of equality was not challenged. Action on this will remain an important part of our work as we complete our mandate.”
Today’s result is a direct consequence of a “rushed and confused campaign” by the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.
Her party had campaigned for a Yes/Yes vote but been critical of the proposed wording particularly in relation to the Care amendment.
“The Government delayed publishing the wording of both amendments; refused to accept Opposition amendments; guillotined legislation in the Oireachtas; and, patronisingly, insisted on holding the referendums on International Women’s Day,” Cairns said.
“The low voter turnout yesterday, and the resounding No result, is due to the Government’s failure to properly engage with the public from the outset of this shambolic referendum campaign.
The electorate were confused by the wording of the family amendment – and the implications of it on things like succession rights – and unimpressed at the lack of ambition in the care referendum.
“I am disappointed that the family referendum has failed, given it is discriminatory that the Constitution recognises just one form of family – the marital family.”
In relation to the Care amendment, she said a No vote looked increasingly likely in recent days “in large part because of the Government’s appalling decision to reject wording overwhelmingly endorsed by the Citizens’ Assembly”.
“Inflammatory comments made on television by the Taoiseach – just days before polling – will have done little to convince voters about the State’s commitment to support carers and vindicate the rights of disabled people.
Many carers and disabled people are tired of receiving nothing more than lip service from successive governments. This record of failure, and absence of trust, lies at the heart of this failed referendum.
“The vote of the electorate must now be respected and there should be careful consideration and analysis of the reasons for their rejection of these amendments.”
Cairns also called on the Government to ratify the Optional Protocol on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities “without any further excuses or delay”.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said he expects some international coverage of Ireland voting to reject the referendum on ‘women in the home’ on International Women’s Day.
“I’m sure it will be reported on, I’m just not sure it will be the talk of the town in Naples, New York or anywhere else for that matter.”
Taoiseach on international coverage of Ireland voting to reject the referendum on Women in the Home on International Women’s Day:
— Sadbh Cox (@SadbhCox) March 9, 2024
“I’m sure it will be reported on I’m just not sure it will be the talk of the town in Naples, New York or anywhere else for that matter”. pic.twitter.com/x4CyYvtPFR
With nine of the 39 constituencies counted so far, it’s currently a 66.67% No vote in the Family referendum.
Ann Marie Flanagan, one of the people who recently formed the Equality Not Care group, said the rejection of the Care referendum shows that voters listened to the views of disabled people and carers.
@equalitynot42B and we
— Ann Marie Flanagan (@2024Flanagan) March 9, 2024
were heard. Our right to be included in the constitution as equal citizens was vindicated today. The people of Ireland created a paradigm shift. I hope that we can build on this. It’s a great day for democracy. 🙏 ❤️ @ClareFM @ClareChampion @IrishTimes
Equality Not Care had argued that the proposed wording of Article 42B discriminated against disabled people and their family members.
As soon as the boxes were opened and the votes were being sorted, it was clear that Ireland’s latest referendums would be comprehensively defeated.
It represents a significant bloody nose for the Government and indeed all of the major parties in the Dáil who campaigned for a Yes Yes vote.
So what happened and how did this result come about? Read Rónán Duffy’s analysis here.
With 12 of the 39 constituencies counted, the No vote in the Family referendum stands at 64.59%
The National Women’s Council, one of the most prominent groups to campaign for a Yes/Yes vote, is “deeply disappointed” by the No vote in both referendums.
Orla O’Connor, Director of the NWC, said the No vote in the Family referendum “means the families of over 40% of children born outside of marriage and the over one million people who are part of unmarried families are still not recognised in our Constitution”.
She said the No vote in the Care referendum means that Article 41.2 remains in the Constitution “which continues to assign women’s primary place and indeed women’s life within the home”.
This is a reactionary message to send to young women and girls in 2024 and it fails to reflect the reality of women’s lives today and also to recognise the important role that men play in relation to care.
O’Connor continued: “There are some factors that clearly contributed to today’s outcome.
“The Government’s poor wording, combined with a lack of leadership from political parties resulted in misinformation and confusion amongst voters and a lack of mobilisation on the ground.”
She said the NWC will now continue to work with other civil society organisations to campaign for public care services, a public childcare model, better paid family leave, a universal pension, guaranteed access to homecare supports, personal assistance for disabled people, and the rights of people to live independently.
With 22 of 39 constituencies counted, the No vote in the Family referendum stands at 67.2%
Expanding on her earlier statement, Orla O’Connor, Director of the National Women’s Council, said today’s result is a “wake up call” for equality and women’s rights.
Speaking to The Journal at Dublin Castle, O’Connor said although we don’t know the scale, there was “ultimately” a proportion of people who voted No in the Care referendum because they felt the wording did not go far enough.
O’Connor said she was “deeply disappointed” and admitted that she was surprised by the scale of the No votes.
“Ultimately, the people have spoken, and we need to think about why people have voted No. And I think there’s many reasons for it, we don’t know them all yet.
“We certainly know there’s a proportion of No voters who wanted wording to go further and felt that this referendum wasn’t delivering enough,” she said.
Independent Senator Tom Clonan, who had advocated for a No vote in the Care referendum, told our reporter Jane Matthews he was relieved by today’s results.
Clonan said the proposed wording would have brought Ireland into international disrepute because it was “completely contrary” to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.
“Specifically Article 19, which guarantees the rights of disabled adults to live independent, autonomous lives in the community,” he said.
“Not living at home with the parents, which is what that wording would have… given constitutional expression to the idea that family has exclusive responsibility for the care of disabled citizens.
“That’s like something from the 19th century, and they were going to put that in. So I’m just really relieved that it was rejected by the Irish people.”
Speaking to RTÉ News, Independent TD Catherine Connolly accused the Government of using “propaganda” to “push through” the proposed amendments.
Connolly, who has long advocated on behalf of women’s rights, criticised the Government’s “patronising” and “patriarchal” campaign.
Earlier this year she labelled the wording of the proposed Care amendment as “wishy washy“.
Opposition TDs have today hit out at the Government’s handling of the campaign, saying that lone parents, carers and disabled people were pitted against each other.
FF, FG, Greens have let down lone parents, carers, disabled people. Has there ever been worse amendments, campaigns? Took grassroots campaigns to deliver marriage equality, repeal. Look forward to working with carers, PLWDs to put properly-worded referendum on agenda. #Ref2024
— Mick Barry TD (@MickBarryTD) March 9, 2024
Crap wording, crap campaign, crap government.
— Paul Murphy 🏳️⚧️ (@paulmurphy_TD) March 9, 2024
This is the result.
Left parties should commit to proposing a referendum recognising and supporting care inside and outside of the home and the rights of people with disabilities.
The leaking of the Attorney General’s advice the day before polling is “really frustrating”, Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman said.
Speaking to reporters in Dublin Castle today, the minister said it was a “a partial” leak of the AG’s advice and was just one part “of a set of advices provided across the entire campaign”.
Questioned by The Journal as to whether the Government should consider publishing AG advice in the run up to future referendums, in a bid to avoid circumstances where it is leaked, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was “difficult” question to answer.
The Ditch published an article containing the leaked advice from Rossa Fanning on the proposed Family and Care amendments on Thursday afternoon.
Senator Michael McDowell told RTÉ he believes the leak came from someone within the Government with a view to bolster the care referendum.
However, he said that it “backfired spectacularly”.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael Senator Regina Doherty said there are “real questions behind why the AG advice was leaked in the first place and we will have to get to the bottom of that”.
With 34 of the 39 constituencies counted, the No vote in the Family referendum is now 67.28%
Leo Varadkar is speaking to RTÉ’s Six One News now.
He’s again conceded the Government’s approach was wrong and said they would now reflect on what happened.
Asked by host Ray Kennedy why the Government opted to make the Care referendum in particular so complicated, he said it was decided not to go ahead with a simple deletion of the ‘women in the home’ wording on the basis of recommendations to take the opportunity to recognise the roles of other carers.
He was also asked again about his comments about care on Virgin Media’s Six O’Clock Show, when he spoke about his own experience of being raised by his parents and his view on the State’s responsibilities in relation to care.
A clip of his comments was widely shared on social media in the final week of campaigning.
Repeating a defence of the comments issued in recent days, he said the edited clip misrepresented his fuller remarks on the issue.
Asked whether Equality Minister Roderic O’Gorman should resign, Varadkar said he continued to have full confidence in the Green Party minister.
A number of politicians – including Aontú’s Peadar Toibín – earlier called for O’Gorman to resign.
It’s official: The Family Referendum has been rejected.
Some 1,525,215 valid votes were cast yesterday (16,105 were deemed invalid).
More than 1.2 million people rejected the Family amendment, the 39th amendment to the Constitution.
The final result has been just announced at Dublin Castle with 1,021,546 people (67%) voting No and 487,564 people voting Yes. pic.twitter.com/RGV8Iv86Lg
— Christina Finn (@christinafinn8) March 9, 2024
International media outlets have been covering the referendum results.
As expected, much of the coverage has focused on the anticipated Care amendment result and in particular the retention of the ‘women in the home’ wording, Mairead Maguire reports.
The result of the Care referendum has just been announced.
Some 393,053 voted in favour of the amendment, while 1,114,620 voted against.
Therefore the referendum has been defeated.
Here’s the breakdown:
We are wrapping up the liveblog now, thanks for staying with us today.
Both referendums have been defeated by landslide No votes.
In fact, the Care Amendment has garnered the highest percentage of No votes of any referendum in the history of the state.
No doubt there will be more political reaction tomorrow in the fallout.
The Journal will keep you up to date on all the latest developments.
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If it’s a no-no, then an election needs to be called next week. The final nail in the FFG disgraceful spell in government.
@JaSE Productions: i honestly can’t remember a worse referendum campaign. The government and especially the Taoiseach have made a complete balls of it
@Brian Dunne: it’s shows contempt for the electorate. The wording was wishy washy and vague.
@JaSE Productions: why ? Were they all not pushing for a Yes vote all except Peadar Toibin party get real
@Sheila McNulty: ‘Pushing’ is a bit of a stretch to be fair.. barely heard a peep out of opposition parties.. I believe the only reason they advocated a yes vote is they were scared of their lives to get caught up in the what is ‘durable relationship’ minefield and afraid of ‘offending’ people not included in their proposed definition. Huge trick missed by opposition parties.. especially SF in not going up against the government on this. But ultimately it’s seems,from early indications, that this will be a mixture of genuine disdain at the pathetic attempt to ammend our constitution and a protest vote against the government and their ‘ performance ‘. So its not entirely unreasonable to call fora GE after another shambolic handling of something from this government. But Unlikely to happen.
@brian madden: I think you’ll find the wording was exactly what they intended it to be…
@Brian: So the opposition parties had no opinion?
@JaSE Productions: Great point.
@Bert Carolan: I didn’t say that. In fact I gave the main reason why I believe they chose to advocate a yes vote.This referendum centered on and ultimately failed because of the replacement language that was being proposed. Government hadn’t the balls to define it and opposition parties hadn’t the balls either to go up against them ,for fear of getting dragged into a sexist/discriminatory and probable racist debate.None of them wanted to rock the boat and risk their vote ahead of a GE that is looming. I’m certainly not letting them off the hook by any stretch. Norma foley said ‘as soon as you define what a durable relationship the race is in on to find those not included’, which is correct.. but thats why you need strong leadership and decision making.. which this government sorely lacks.
@brian madden: agree with you. Just watching bacik on tv blaming the government for not adequately explaining the changes proposed. What an arrogant comment. The common people could not of course look at the wording and make a judgement of their own accord. I think like you that people looked at the wooly wording and said no.
@Brian Dunne: this morning Regina Doherty, tried to use the Citizens Assembly as an excuse. She needs to be reminded her party didn’t take any of the assemblies recommendations. None of the 45 that were made. The assembly recognised family, and also 100% vote that care in society was the government’s responsibility. Remember this when the European elections are running, she doesn’t stand for care.
@JaSE Productions: The government are totally out of touch, Minister for Justice and Minister for Children need to go also for all the recent debacles, Sad part is the leading opposition don’t look any better
@JaSE Productions: I’d imagine if it is a resounding no the government will not call an election this year because they know they’re fcked and will want to keep the snouts in the trough for a little bit longer.
@JaSE Productions: I seem to recall that the main opposition party also called for a Yes, Yes vote so nobody emerges from this with much to celebrate?
@Brian Dunne: Agree 100%.Even when Varadkar was given an unopposed free government sell on the referendum on Virgin TV. He still F..ked it up. The opposition parties who supported the government are also to blame, but the buck stops with Varadkar, Martin, O’Gorman who from the Start in the wording , ambiguity of both papers was a disaster in the making. A complete failure by the government.
@JaSE Productions: yes the people have spoken. We will do the same in the election.
@Brian Dunne: I agree. Whatever about the wording of the current version being sexist, which it clearly is, there was no clear benefits or negatives clearly explained. I walked to the polls with two elderly neighbours who never miss casting their vote and they said they had no idea what this was all about and therefore would vote no. Normally we’re pretty good at referendums, and things are explained clearly. But this was more like Lisbon. So it’s a slight on the government for sure. But for the poster above saying that as a result of the no votes we should have an immediate election, what’s the point? You know as well as I do if there was a general election next week we’d end up with the same government. There needs to be a proper campaign.
@JaSE Productions: I believe this was as much an anti government vote a it was on the issues put forward. The government need to realise that the general public do not trust them to “have our back”. The Ireland we know is being dismantled by a government who couldn’t care less.
@Michael Garvey: its great that Bacik has someone to blame the people said no to the lot of you Does she think people are that stupid U all went for a yes vote & got caught out only Peadar Toibin & Michael Mc Dowell & he knew & spelled it out So No U all can take the hit
@Michael Garvey:If people had read the wording, only the most misogynistic and those who believed that children of unmarried families would have voted no.
@Harry Callahan:
And yet Mary Loo still blames the government.I don’t believe she has ever given them credit for anything.
The people made their choice,regardless of the wording.
Dress it up whatever way they want to .It failed .
Give the people some credit.
@Bert Carolan: The real opposition, Aontu, opposed the referendum.
@Pelagius Asturias: if you are referring to SF, they look worse.
@JaSE Productions: Absolutely Absolutely your dead right Country is crying for change
@Brian Dunne: Thank.god they’ve done something RIGHT
@Brian Dunne: it was the worst one ever. It was so badly managed. The arrogance of this government was breathtaking.
@JaSE Productions: It was just Lazy IMO. Advertise it and they will vote YES. No lesson learned from Lisbon1
@JaSE Productions: All Political parties backed a Yes Yes vote in the referendum… except for the PBP individuals…. Who do you propose to the general public to vote for ??
@Bert Carolan: they did but this is not politics
@Blue Moon: Aontu, the only real opposition and the only real alternative, campaigned for NO/NO. They also have the best leader of all parties in Dáil Éireann. Peadar Toibin’s well thought out and calmly presented arguments played a major role in securing a NO NO victory. He always researches issues thoroughly and presents his arguments in an intelligent and articulate manner which is n stark contrast to McDonald whose forte is hysterical outbursts and snide remarks- but that probably appeals to many SF supporters.
@Frank McGlynn: Aontú are too small and appeal to too few people to be a ‘real opposition’. Maybe Peadar is able to research topics and present a convincing argument but the worldview through which he sees and understands topics is not something that most people can relate to or that appeals to many.
@Frank McGlynn: peadar seems to be on a similar page to ronan mullins and the iona institure. They are still back in the 1950s Catholic ireland. We don’t want to go back there. We all know how it ends.
@Stiles: it was exactly what they intended, but it didn’t need to be worded that way. Constitutional law is heavily challenged. It should have been worded much simpler.
@Bert Carolan: Opposition supported yes on both counts except Aontu!
@JaSE Productions: lol
@Patrick MC Dermott: I will never vote FFG but I didn’t vote no as an anti government protest and I don’t think the majority of people treat referendums like that. I voted no because the proposed changes were extremely poorly written and provided zero clarity. Added to that the government guillotined Dail debate on the discussion where the electorate could have heard issues with the text being teased out and debated. I don’t treat referendums as party politics and I think most people are the same.
@Brian Dunne: And I suppose the fact that the opposition were calling for yes yes doesn’t mean anything??Amazing interpretations!
@Gearoid MacEachaidh: You would have to living under a big stone not to have seen the plethora of TV, Radio and Newspaper information and debate. People complaining that they did not understand the ussues either didn’t want to hear or had already made their mind up. Shades of the Brexit Referendum……
@Michael Garvey: Bacik flip flopped, it was No first, then Yes, even after their Amendment being thrashed in a vote. This is the leader who wants even more Immigration & is going to miraculously build 1 Million homes. Bacik & Labour don’t represent the Irish people, virtue signallers.
The media in the country were saying last week that the yes vote was way out in front according to their polls. Surely people can now see that they are part of the problem. They are driven by government policies which is disgraceful, no independence whatsoever. I really hope this will open up a lot of people’s eyes.
@Derek Poutch: 100%
@Derek Poutch: the analysis will be just as tone deaf I can assure you. They all think alike and will blame this on social media and ultimately the ignorant people.
@Derek Poutch: No, they were saying that a large proportion of people were undecided.
@Derek Poutch: A lot of people coul see during covid how much the media and government were in bed together, but this mess has really shown how utterly shameful they are
@Derek Poutch: That would be the mainstream media? Please support and read independent and local publications who offer a different viewpoint.
@Derek Poutch: Corruption at it’s finest.
@Derek Poutch: What polls?
@Derek Poutch: I’ve always said polls should not be taken notice of, especially those in the government’s favour
@Brendan O’Brien: they were saying the yes vote would swing it
@Derek Poutch: to what ???. Every political party backed a Yes Yes vote except for the PBP ….
@Derek Poutch: All liars and shills, basically.
Two standout people in the referendum, Peadar Tóibín and Michael McDowell supported by other right thinking campaigners. Well done.
@Patrick Presley: Wouldn’t it be nice to have disclosed all the advice etc given to the government by legal professionals etc and then this advice to be compared with the government’s published opinions on the matter?
@Athena: The government has little credibility and the opposition needs to reflect on the fact that they appear to be not dissimilar.
@Patrick Presley: Two low grade individuals, in my opinion.
But that doesn’t mean the people can’t think for themselves.
@Patrick Presley: u would actually listen to Michael McDowell speak all day.always comes across very well
@morgan crowe: A man with vast experience and a great intellect.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: I feel the Government, by getting the opposition on board, thought they had covered all options.True the people can make up their own mind, but they can also be misled.
@Patrick Presley: Right thinking is now classified as “right wing” thinking. Didn’t you get the memo?
@Patrick Presley: I can’t understand why the government didn’t consider the advice of Michael McDowell. He spoke authoritatively about the failings in the Amendments. Peadar Tobin also did Trojan work in explaining the obvious pitfalls.
@Patrick Presley: I think you will.find that Tom Clonan and Catherine Connolly convinced more people, to switch from yes to No, and Ruth coppinger and Co. The other two have a whole different agenda. I think many that listened to these people know they are honest and hard working, no tricks, just facts.
@colette byrne: it was Michael Mc Dowell & Peadar Toibin who spoke out with the true facts
Excellent news!!
I’m not surprised people now have little to no trust in the current government and couldn’t trust them as far as they could throw them.
@John Dennehy: they all pushed for a yes vote except Peadar Toibin
@Sheila McNulty: Yes, but it seems even the people who support the parties in government couldn’t even support them with a yes vote in this referendum, says a lot about trust even with their supporters who vote them into power election after election.
@Sheila McNulty: people owe the like of Peadar Tobin and Michael McDowell. Only like minded representatives. Proves all mainstream political parties are not aligned with the people.
@Sheila McNulty: which should have been enough reason to vote yes… But there ya go
@John Dennehy: People (should) vote on referendums on the basis of their understanding what they will mean in the constitution not on a party basis and most definitely should not be used as a protest against current government parties.
@Jon Doesn’t: People did understand and they voted NO, it’s great to see free and fair democracy in action.
@Jon Doesn’t: clearly the majority of the electorate disagree with your assertion but thankfully we live in a democracy.
@Mike 100: Never in my life could I ever see myself agreeing with Michael McDowell , but in fairness to himself and Peader Tobin their views on the referendum certainly influenced my vote…And I would not be a fan of both men.
@John Dennehy: but I guarantee you that if there was a GE tomorrow we’d end up with the same government. Most people haven’t the balls to rock the status quo.
@John Dennehy: your
@Donal Desmond: I agree, but they spoke common sense & the truth & represented the views of the majority. Mary Lou has lost touch with the people of Ireland on the main issues, including her voter base, it leaves SF now as being no different than FFG, now no alternatives left in Dail Eirinn or Fail Eirinn as it should be now called. The Irish people will have to start all over again.
@SV3tN8M4: Agree SF dropped the ball and deservedly will be held to account. In stating that the government who decided to go ahead with this referendum have run for the hills concerning the result. O’ Gorman should resign .The advice from the Attorney General was completely ignored and not made public. To my mind it was his duty to include the advice from the AG in the yes campaign. O Gorman received this advice on 3/12/2023. The Thatcherite comment by Varadkar on his free TV spot certainly didn’t help yes vote. Delighted the electorate vote against the shamble that was interduced by government.
What an absolute waste of money that would have gone a long way to support people with disabilities and carer’s in this country. A wake up call for the EU puppets that we call our government. They will be running for cover the next few days.
@Aidan Long: there never is a wake up call though, is there. Change a word here is there, give it time and go again, eventually they’ll get their result.
@Aidan Long: absolutely… what a waste of money, time, resources, paper, airtime that should have been channelled towards the very people they are apparently going to STRIVE to look after. Such a load of BS.
@Donna Fallon: there’s no such thing as a waste of money on the democratic process. You may disagree with the result or how it was presented but the waste of money argument is pointless.
@Aidan Long: no it was a waste of money, the public didnt ask for this. It was driven by the lunatic NGO’s and the usual virtue signallers when the only thing the majority of voters want in this country is a GE so these numpties in the dail can get their P45′s
Whatever about a general election, Roderic O’Gorman and other ministers need to be called out for misinformation (flat out lying) about the AG advice.
@James Groden: agree with this. Blatant lying to the public is becoming the norm. Politicians doing this should be removed from their seat.
Looking good for a no – no, a great start to a Saturday morning and hopefully it pans out that way as the day evolves. SF/SocDems and Labour were only half hearted in their yes campaigns and the government ran a dreadful campaign. When they are putting Foley and McEntee on the last TV debate the other night, you know things are GRIM. As others on this thread have said, election now … Varadkar has no popular mandate to be Taoiseach.
@John Manahan: what are you on about
Mary lou said she would rerun the referendum if it was defeated .
Sf are wolfs in sheep clothing another wef puppet.
@Richie Whelan: wef puppet, do you even know what it is.
Ivan Bacik and Paul Murphy also have some cheek in criticising it and blaming government, they happily campaigned for a yes/yes and would’ve happily accepted the result. If they felt the wording and other aspects around it were so poor why they didn’t they advocate for a no vote based on their views? Get off the stage.
@Dave Murray: eh? They’ve criticised the government’s campaign for yes/yes and accepted the result. Although naturally politicians will attempt to mitigate any damage in situations like this
Great news people are fed up of this government and been told what to do while they all live the high life
The disregard for Irish people is palpable on RTE. They’re desperately trying to purport the idea that people were simply confused and that’s why they voted no.
@J Cronin: What else do you expect from the Government’s Mouthpiece?
Ooops! I’m sorry – the Public Service Broadcaster I should have said.
@J Cronin: I’ll never listen to Irish main stream media again. At least you get the truth from Gript AND you can comment on everything.
You can fool some of the people some of the time, but you can’t fool all of the people all of the time.
You can shove your durable relationships where the sun doesn’t shine.
Hopefully it will be no/no. Now time for a one on immigration. Government betrayed us Irish.Time for them to run to the hills.
Thats what happens when you have teachers in ministerial jobs talking down to the public like they are still in a primary school
But but RTE told us last weekend it was 72% yes 28 no according to their polls and independent research.RTE.They wouldn’t lie would they?
@Morgan Duggan: OK… So you’re suggesting that they just made up the poll results. For what reason? If they wanted yes to win then that’s hardly a sensible thing to do because it would galvanise the no voters and also create an apathy amongst yes voters who might stay at home because they believed it to be a “sure thing” – when you’re accusing media organisations of lying (which they all do including Gript) then maybe use some critical thinking to understand what the benefit of lying is. In this case, there is no benefit so it’s likely they just managed to pull in some yes voters from affluent areas
@Morgan Duggan: maybe in D4
@Morgan Duggan: it’s not unusual for there to be big swings in referendums. Unlike party politics where peoples views can be entrenched when it comes to referendums many people only make up their minds when they read the material at voting time. The lack of honest political or Dail debate also made people think twice.
What an embarrassing mess for a campaign for the government, terrible TV and radio interviews by ministers advocating for a yes, terrible wording and confusion a-plenty and even the AG getting involved about the legalities of it. How much did this cost? Over €20 million, I think? Shameful.
TV news, main Irish channel, blaming the working classes. Anyone see that? It’s unbelievable, truly is. The inference is they are too thick. This is a republic folks. Keep firing them.
@downburst1: How was anyone *blaming* the working classes? Can you give a direct quote?
@Brendan O’Brien: rte radio 1 just stated the working class areas of Dublin look like giving a resounding no buy the more affluent suburbs look 50-50
@downburst1: That is not ‘blame’ It is factual reporting, which many people now hate: they want the media to share their biases.
@downburst1: Then they wouldn’t have framed it that way, would they Brendan?
@Brendan O’Brien: holy christ brenda, is there anything you’re not an authority on.
Every single day. Quite sad really.
@downburst1: Sorry to trouble you with facts.
@jason dawson: don’t be too hard on poor Brendan. He was looking forward to a day’s gloating about the yes result and telling the mythical far right that they were out of touch with the people.
@Brendan O’Brien: would you do yourself a favour and get help.
@downburst1: It has been reported already that it was the Far Right that influenced the vote, 67% of the Irish people now deemed Far Right. Keep labelling, it’s only helping to mobilize people on the ground. Another disclosure on RTE with Bakhurst & Terence O Rourke & yet RTE spouting about how 67% of the Irish people are confused & Far Right. The country is on the point of implosion.
About time the people start to set the agenda and not a cabal of politicians with their like minded journalist backers aping the so called liberal utopia that comes out of American think tanks. We have problems we need addressed in this society, problems that poor wording in the constitution don’t stem from. Now get back to actual result driven policies or call an election next week. Fire them all folks and keep firing them until we get back to people with brains. Imagine cabbage head won’t take any notice of course.
I STRIVE to understand how the yes side got any votes at all. The waffle and platitudes that came from the government mouths have yielded their just rewards. They didn’t listen to the people, the citizens assembly, the AG or any other sensible voices and the got their just rewards.
So, back to Durable and Strive nonsense for the FFG Green and the other parties who got it all wrong.
Take a bow, Peadar and a few independents.
@h5kFhdYI: some people are genuinely lost causes. They watch RTE, they read the news, they listen to the government. They’re told to vote yes so they vote yes – regardless of their understanding of what a yes vote means. Sheep. Virtue signalling sheep.
@Ceann Cac: Yes! Yes! Yes! Most people voted: “No No.
Well done, people.
Had to be the far rights fault or maybe climate change
@Kelechi Ademola: it was covid. And of course Trump.
@Kelechi Ademola: i blame robbing other peoples tweets that weren’t even good in the first place.
Twenty million euros wasted.
That could’ve paid for a lot of much needed respite care for hard pressed carers. What a waste of all our hard earned taxes. Politicians should take a pay cut until it’s all paid back.
Great to hear NO NO
Everything about this is so frustrating and reeks of arrogance from the government. Arrogance to reject the citizen’s assembly wording, arrogance to not publish the attorney general’s advice, arrogance on debates to dismiss legitimate concerns as “red herrings”, arrogance to hold his on International Women’s Day to grandstand for progressive change when everything about this campaign was phoned in and poorly thought out.
Not to mention the disconnect given all the problems in the country to try and haul people in to vote on these relatively meaningless changes, they haven’t a clue what’s going on or how the people are feeling at the moment.
Yet all the minister’s involved will remain unaccountable, no resignations and no lessons learned as per usual with this government. At least the end is near.
@Rochelle Hart: I agree with you Rochelle but your last sentence is a bit worrying. Try to look on the bright side!
@Rochelle Hart: If you want arrogance try the truly despicable JenniferCarrollMacNeill.
“I’ve just voted yes yes and now I’m off on 2 weeks holidays to the US and Mexico, 9 days early for St Patricks Day, vote yes yes like I did and I’ll see you in two weeks”
https://twitter.com/CarrollJennifer/status/1766019603065352620
@Paddy Short: Almost as arrogant as Mary Lou blaming the government for the defeat after SF supported the referendum but went into hiding when they saw which way the wind was blowing.
@Rochelle Hart: Very well said indeed, thanks.
This was never needed only for the out of touch politicos who masquerade as TD in our country. Common sense has prevailed.
If it’s a no, the government should call a general election, but they won’t. This deplorable government has no shame, only hubris and arrogance!
@Brian Hunt: who would u put in ? All the parties called for a yes vote only Peadar Toibin so your text is not worthy
Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who have been in a cosy durable relationship for the last number of years should have strived better to get this across the line.
@John Dennehy: ha ha love it ;) Would that be considered a “durable relationship”? Lol
@Dave Murray: Who knows, I don’t think anyone including FF and FG can answer that accurately.
These politicians will now come out with lots of excuses as usual. I bet not one of them will take any responsibility for this shambles. Democracy is a joke in this country.
@Derek Poutch:
Democracy did work…we said No
@Derek Poutch: DEMOCRACY IS A JOKE says person responding to democracy stopping the government from doing what they want. Christ almighty
So much for the polls. I truly hope this is a wake up call for all of our politicians.The country has real problems on the ground. Health and housing. Get on with the job we voted you in to do and no more with this ridiculous pandering to a tiny minority of our population who have issues with traditionalist norms.
This is a resounding kick in the teeth for the government parties and SF and shows how out of step they are with what really matters to it’s citizens.
Believe it reflects the mood of the country . Government, sit up and take notice . Before the misinformed and the far right take over ..
@Seamus McKenzie.: What does far right have to do with this referendum Seamus? Jesus people love that term nowadays. Disagree with government, you’re far right.. nonsense
He said ballymun 80 : 20 tally, working class etc etc and then said in more affluent areas “of course” it’s 50 : 50.
@downburst1: That is not ‘blame’.
@Brendan O’Brien: it’s suggestive of cause
@downburst1: It’s highly condescending at the very least.
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: If it matches the fact is it condescending? Didn’t see it so don’t know the tone.
@Brendan O’Brien: A microcosm of Irish society, just like RTE. Two different Ireland’s being run, those of us working & paying taxes have had enough, failure to listen is going to see the people wrest control back very soon, you & your ilk have led the country to the point of implosion, the game is up, the end game is coming very very fast.
What a huge waste of time and money when there are real problems in the country that need fixing.
No it must be!!
The arrogance of Varadker Martin andNorma Foley on last interviews was
Love to see liberals crying.
@Dan Breen: And that is the problem: the government has emboldened far-right types like yourself with this fiasco. It has messed up royally.
@Brendan O’Brien: I would suggest that the problem is people like you, who call anyone who doesn’t support government policies or your own opinion ‘far right’.
You’ve totally diluted the term ‘far right’ with the ease and frequency with which you throw the term around. The government and the media are guilty of this too.
People will now blame the ‘far right’ for this result which will mean the majority of the country is now somehow ‘far right’. It’s unhinged childish thinking and people are sick of it.
The vast majority of people who voted ‘no’ are not far right, but I know from Dan’s previous comments on this site that he is (like his namesake).
@JedBartlett: the only people i see giving out about it are people who align themselves with every far right cause. If you don’t feel you are far right the label shouldn’t offend you. Aren’t the right in this country always the ones banging on about freedom of speech, and the perpetually offended? Maybe some of them should invest in a mirror.
@Brendan O’Brien: this is a far right government
@Dan Breen: No, it is a centre-right government.
@Setanta O’Toole: Absolute tripe.
@JedBartlett: Far-tripe?
@Brendan O’Brien You’d have been an informer for the Tans.
@Brendan O’Brien: I would class it as a right wing government.
No far-right.
And there is definitely little that could be classed as center about it.
But we must not confuse ‘Liberal’ with economics.
Liberal groups have traditionally been right wing economically.
@Dan Breen: Of course: everyone who disagrees with your far-right views ‘would have been an informer for the Tans’. That makes perfect sense.
@Brendan O’Brien: ‘stop labelling us unfairly because our views differ!’
*someone even slightly disagrees with ‘em* ‘
‘YOU DIRTY TOUT!”
@Brendan O’Brien: so if I don’t agree with the government I’m far right ?
@ItWasLikeThatWhenIGotHere: The terms ‘far right’, ‘right wing’ and ‘left wing’ are meaningless and trying to classify political parties on this imaginary left/right axis is futile. The terms left wing and right wing should only be used when talking about football.
@Frank McGlynn: tis all inverted fascists and false communists these days.
@Brendan O’Brien: Keep labelling, 67% of the Irish people now Far Right, your in denial. The labelling of people who disagree with how our country has been failed is leading to massive societal breakdown & it’s old fashioned party hacks like yourself that are responsible. Just like RTE, you can’t do accountability, sad
Great news, they had every political party in the Dail except peadar Tobin behind it as well as the whole Irish media including the pro government rte and virgin media, sinn Fein would want to do some soul searching this morning as well, hopefully this is the start of the pushback against these pompous idiots
@Liam o Connor: Fully agree Liam but you may add The Journal to your Pro Government media list, as a matter of fact,I’d put them as the front runner.
@Liam o Connor: Nobody answers for anything, these guys are THE top civil servants in the country. They are responsible for every department fiasco in the at this moment in time. Yet here we are, a shockingly badly put together referendum and equally bad campaigning. All at tax payers expense.
But guess what, enough people will vote them in again. How stoopid are the people of this country?
@Liam o Connor: The Tonight Show on TV3 has to be the biggest Pro Govt news outlet outside of RTE, they don’t allow debate, cut across people & their biased views is all they allow. It needs two new presenters as the two that are there don’t represent free speech or the views of the majority of the Irish people. The Ditch & Gript the only investigative journalism left in Ireland. TV 3 or Virgin obviously RTE part 2, licking the wholes of our political class.
Don’t forget Mary lou now wants to run it again
Be carefull if voting sf
Wolf in sheep’s clothing worse than the shower now in government .
Worse opposition party I remember.
@Richie Whelan: Agreed, but will people ever wake up to the truth about Sinn Fein. When will traditional SF voters wake up to the fact that Sinn Fein has been hijacked by the ultra- woke wing.
@Frank McGlynn: Suppose your happy with the Thatcherite comment from Varadkar?.
20 million, down the drain! Ah well.
You’re not going to be hearing much out of Helen or Leo Varadkar. Brief and belligerent as ever, no doubt
@Sean oSuilleabhain: A lot more than 20 million. All theNGOs that were using their resources to campaign for a yes vote are financed by taxpayer.
Thankfully Eamon Ryan won’t be a td for much longer
Wonder which ones gonna come out to throw the other under a bus first…..FG or FF cos someones gonna have to answer for this
@Tom Newell: Tom nobody will take blame for this. Just like nobody takes blame for rte or the health service. Do u not know Tom. It’s the people’s fault. There the thickies.
@Tom Newell: Of course sure we don’t know anything like….silly me
@Tom Newell: They wont want to discuss this at all. They’ll want it brushed under the carpet and forgot about as quickly as possible.
They will be hoping for some crisis or other major event to take the ‘front pages’.
Can we now see the citizens assembly advice to the wording, and the taxpayers monies used by various NGO to push their agendas, out of touch with the people, a waste of resources and the scramble by all parties who advocated yes is sickening. Advice to them think twice before committing to a rerun.
Carers organisation promotion of yes was absolutely appalling easy know the Cox ladies salary was more important to her
@Tim Brennan: She should resign, the stories from Carers around the country who have being failed for decades & who voted No, it was heartbreaking listening to their stories. Many of these CEO,’ s hoping to be brought on board by Govt on some other gravy train.
Am I right in saying this referendum cost €23 million? What an absolute waste of tax payers money. Services all across the land crying out for extra funding and this government spends this amount on a referendum nobody asked for.
Every one knew that the No vote was going to win , everyone except for the government,so out of touch with reality
I do not think the current ffg government know the level of disconnect and discontent between themselves and the electorate. The squeezed to the bare bone middle, who are most likely to vote them out, are sick of the endless taxes/cost of living working 60hour weeks while the elite and the lazy get a far better deal
This has just been a fire blanket for the government, no mention of the refugee crisis the last few weeks, it has taking the heat off them for a short while, Same with Palestinian war now, Putin is delighted he is barely mentioned anymore.
Can’t trust a government who can’t even explain in simple terms the word “Durable” means. It was always going to be a NO vote.
Well politicians and the media lapdogs failed to count on an intelligent electorate. The carers organisation leader should resign
@Tim Brennan: Agree, an embarrassment.
Fishy wording was never going to get them over the line.
@Mick Hanna: yea you need a hook on the line to get the fishies
Nice one.That’s a very justified message of contempt from the people to an inept,completely out of touch government.What a wishy washy,vague,waste of time,utter mess of a referendum campaign from the politicians of this country
The question that needs to be asked and answered is who pushed this referendum forward in the first place? I don’t know of anyone who considered these constitutional changes to be urgent priorities. The government refused to address the obvious questions and issues arising from very poorly written constitutional amendments and insisted on pushing forward with a referendum. After the marriage and abortion referendums I think referendums are seen as a great way to boost government popularity. All the parties were misguided and misinformed about public priorities and the opposition parties screaming for elections and resignations were pushing a yes vote as hard as the government. Waste of money and insulting to citizens intelligence.
The government wants heads to roll in RTE over the waste of €2m on a RTE musical, whose heads in government will roll with the decision to waste of €20m+ on a referendum nobody wanted.
The people have spoken , they have no belief in this so called government, get out of leinster House now you muppets this is a vote of no confidence by the people of eire, go go go
@Paddy Connolly: what about all the other parties all pushing for a yes vote
Well done the electorate. Proud day for the people of Ireland. May I use this opportunity to ask you sensible people to avoid FF, FG, SF, Green and Labour at the next GE. There are great independents out there with our interests at heart, research their policies and manifesto closely. Think carefully. Aontú as well deserve a shout. We can not let these arrogant globalist flood the country biggots control the agenda anymore. They are making colossal decisions for Irish society behind our backs without any consent or referendums hiding behind the EU and international obligations. I’ve lived and worked in 5 EU countries and I know their laws and requirements and I can tell you the Irish government are utter liars who hate indigenous Irish people. Bringing in laws the Chinese and Russians would be embarrassed to do. Jailing people who don’t give their phone PIN numbers. There are no words.
It is hard to believe how the media, the majority of political parties, and the government are so out of touch with the voters of this country, only a day ago we were told it would be a comprehensive Yes/Yes vote, how did they get it so wrong or is it we are just being fed the voices of the few and not the opinions of the many.
Government will blame social media misinformation and so on an so forth for the defeat of their word salad trickery.
Truth is social media is how people get their facts,from multiple sources,they arm themselves with the truth an then see clearly who and where the lies were coming from.
Irish people are intelligent,they saw the trickery from the government,its guillotining of debate in the Dail was a sure signal of underhand tactics,referendum change was being shoved into the constitution by the government without proper debate.
I believe the defeat of this shows how unhappy voters are with the sitting government,it points to the decimation of the government parties in the next GE.
Take citizens for fools and pay the price.
Proposed changes are not the direction our country wants to go in.
@Wakeupkerrycoco Wakeupkerrycoco: They opposition all wanted a yes vote so they are as much to blame
It’s up to the Irish people to stop this government from doing harm. People know in their gut that something is wrong . Long may it continue .
Many now have the of thumb that if it’s something the government are promoting then it can’t be good and The public vote the opposite way. And it’s been proven time again that voting and democracy in this country is a joke so it’s time that people in this country start voting for the obscure parties just to send a message that we are not happy with the main parties
@Fintan Stack: That depends on the nature of the ‘obscure’ parties. The cure could be much worse than the disease.
@Brendan O’Brien: probably brief. It would be worth trying though we’re not happy with FFG and Greens. And the longer they’re in power the more entitled and corrupt they become. Why reward them with a vote just because we’re afraid of trying the alternative.
It would at the very least tell us if there is an alternative or if political parties should be scrapped.
@Fintan Stack: the other parties are no different all pushed for a yes vote Get real
@Fintan Stack: Nobody in Dail Eirinn representing working Irish taxpayers. We will have to start all over again 100 years on & take back control of our country.
@Sheila McNulty: so basically why should anyone waste their time voting. Ultimately it’s a pointless exercise. When there’s no alternative and we get the same outcome over and over again.
Sure look, the govt were “striving” for a Yes vote but it turns out that “striving” doesn’t amount to much in practical terms!
The inbreeding of the National media with all political parties has got one good kicking today. Tom Clonan, Tobin and Michael McDougal did some work on calling out the attempt to hoodwink us.
The arrogance of Varadker Norma Foley and the dispicable way Michael Martin conducted himself on primetime and how he spoke to the lady opposite was a sign of a guy who knew his and his governments bluff was exposed. Finally I cannot comprehend how our state attacks people who have no option but to stay at home and care for their sick children or parents and are refused carers allowance on a means test.The carers organisation should hang their heads in shame at being hoodwinked by a government who are terrified of the Nasty vindictive people in the department of finance and social welfare
@Tim Brennan: Ironic on how he spoke about women & then launched a very bitter nasty personalized attack on the woman opposite him, it was a car crash interview. 17 years at Cabinet level in various roles & his legacy will be that he was one of those in power that bankrupted the State & has now led us to the brink again.
Delighted for me hole and leaky leo a right kick in the sack,20 million wasted,we need an election now
All parties who endorsed this charade have once again proven how out of touch with the irish people they are it’s quite depressing and many ngos in this state need to be culled
The nasty inhuman employees in the department of finance and social welfare got their answer in carer referendum. All mainstream politicians and media choir’s get their answer
@Tim Brennan: ‘nasty inhuman employees’ – seriously?
@Tim Brennan: It’s an expression of the disgust we feel in the way the state has abused the people, particularly the most vulnerable.
@Tim Brennan: @Brendan O’Brien: That response was supposed to be to Brendan.
Here is is again:
It’s an expression of the disgust we feel in the way the state has abused the people, particularly the most vulnerable.
For some reason The Journal’s reply is being addressed to the wrong person.
I am finding that too: some glitch.
If you make a sloppy bill than dont say that your explanation wasn’t good enough. The bill wasn’t good so don’t make empty excuses.
The government did not lose. The people won. The government are there to serve the peoples interests not score wins against them. Well done Ireland.
@brendan o Brien, turn on TV open your ears and listen you government cl0wn.
Thank God people spoke. This government are so so arrogant. They all need to get out of government
Apart from a few TV debates very little information, vague wording (Durable?, Tyres are Durable) and a hasty campaign. Still no information delivered from the Independent Commission as advertised.
I’m in favour of the change to incorporate modern families, don’t understand what inserting the word “Strive” in the Carers one will achieve and on this basis I couldn’t vote in favour of both amendments.
Well done to all that VOTED no
They will run the vote again until they get the yes they want
@Paul todd: This will never pass again, re wording or no rewording.
It really is amusing listening to Bacik and McDonald blaming the Government. If the yes side had won they would have been claiming credit for supporting the yes side.
Well that’s 20+ million we won’t see again.
Is it true Leo was canvassing outside the polling station yesterday?
@Katherine Ronan: Of course it isn’t. Why do people say such ridiculous things?
@Brendan O’Brien: No it was around the corner from the polling station, but you know that.
Mary Lou and Labour leader don’t get it your part of the political consensus that tried to fool the Irish electorate
Great day for the Irish voter
We are not fooled by liars
Listening to RTE and the excuses and the media hacks trying to downplay the kicking all political parties have got.
No credit given to the Irish electorate for seeing through the con job
Out of touch government have no clue what the ppl want. Perhaps now they will listen!
A clear slap in the puss for goverment AND so called opposition! now just wait for the quotes of “we respect the peoples decision and vote on this subject” now maybe if they listened more to the electorate on immigration,cost of living and the housing crisis they might get a little respect from the voters but as long as they take the plebs for fools it wont be the first or last slap they get! ..This was clearly a protest vote.
All political parties are responsible for trying to fool the electorate. Yet again the intelligence of the Irish voter is far greater than the arrogance displayed by the promoters of yes.
Those of us refuse carers allowance
By reason of means €10.
Yet care continues you politicians are afraid of those department of finance officials
No chance of a referendum on the rewording of/ amendment of Article 10, I suppose?
Meanwhile our natural resources are being plundered
Election now!
Don’t slam the door on the way out Varadkar
The hypocrisy of Mary Lou and SF they supported the passing of carers referendum which would have absolved the state of its obligations to take care of those in need shocking to think she like Varadker could be Taoiseach. She rides a horse both ways admit it lady you backed the wrong horse you won’t fool an Irish electorate
Senator Tom Clonan made it clear, there must be stronger legislation with supports put in place Now for the Disabled Community and Carers.
This was and is not good enough
Ah shur no problem, we’ll just have another referendum until the vote the ‘right’ way, a la ‘the Lisbon treaty’.
No excuses…every party except Aontu totally and completely out of touch with the people. What else are they out of touch on ? We need to see the back of these spoofers but what’s in opposition is every bit as wretched. Pity poor Ireland.
Why are the comments closed for the article outlining the government response to the no no vote.
I’m delighted. Best Mother’s day present ever. Well done Ireland
The reason are simple
People don’t trust this government
They don’t belive they have their best interests at heart
We need an election
Government set up citizens assembly refused it’s recommendations because the official’s in Department of finance don’t want to pay carers an non means tested allowance.
Up to Supreme court on 11th of April
Some kick in the teeth to the justice of the courts who led the referendum
It’s ironic that women are overwhelmingly the majority of care givers today and should not be airbrushed from the constitution.
One of the most vulnerable groups in society are single parent families , so any new definition of family needs to include all.
Unfortunately now we have just one mess of a party with Sinn Fein indistinguishable from the rest of them . All singing of the same hymn sheet, same disgusting thinking that the people are sheep to be controlled. They all have lost their way and lost touch with their people.. sad but true…
@stephen hynes: hopefully SF supporters will now wake up to the reality about their party.
Would it ever occur to Orla O’Connor and her overpaid colleagues that people are fed up with the Government delegating power and responsibility to the many bloated NGOs like the NWCI who contribute nothing of value to society.
time our so called leaders did what they were elected to do .represent the democratic will of the people who elected them and stopped forwarding their personal agendas.
Middle class woke have had there noses knocked out of joint with this referendum. How wrong have the political establishment been out of touch with the electorate. Where’s the shinners here.??? Another jumping on the bandwagon disaster.
Time kick the fools and have a general election and kick the fools down the road . Just like they have done to the people
Bacek should resign and they should convene a meeting in any disused phone box left to find a new leader, she is an odious person.
The Irish People have had enough,and if they don’t address our problems the ordinary people’s who are been devastated in every part of this Country,nothing is working here for us,the only ones scoring are the ones closing down local places,and letting in refugees for millions a year,Our only hope is the independents party runs a lot more candidates and parties who want what’s best for us.that Mary Lou needs to go,she wants men added to the abortion,10s of thousands out for free Palestine,im sick of it,hospitals,housing
The neglect our children are going through,its Palestine,We need SF,PBP and all the opposition need to be got out aswell,that’s like your home is in fire,and there’s another fire 20 miles down the road,u leave your house burn,and go to the other 1,that’s what it feels like
Some folk voted No as a protest against the government. The wording was definitely vague and I think that was on purpose to give their legal cronies some nice long drawn out court cases to fight. Gotta keep them legal guys in pocket money.
Resign and call for general election now !!!
Told you so…
Problem with this country is we are educated now we don’t trust government for anything look at immigration people fed lies from millionaires who don’t give a fig about there country traixxtors
If they were having any decency, they would resign and call for general elections, but they have no honour !!!
I’m sure we can keep on voting on it until we get the yes vote that they want. Given our history, it wouldn’t surprise me.
….but do they not make people use pencil so they can change the result …or something…. lol
Delighted with the results so far, bit disappointed that our victory was not more emphatic.
save Palestinian children from israeli terrorists
Now it’s time for a GE. I want these mugs out. Enough of the FG/FF/RTE
bs. Bunch of gangsters the lot of them. They never gave a crap about the Irish people.
@Stella Charlie: no point in getting that lot out if they are replaced by Sinn Fein.
“The government got it wrong” well there’s a statement you could apply to everything they touch! I think so many people on all sides of politics are fed up with Varadkar and Co.
He is without doubt the most odious politician I’ve ever seen and heard.. a truly despicable politician
A referendum that whatever way the vote went wouldn’t have changed on thing which got extremely pedantic over the semantics of wording with a yes-yes campaigned for by a government that a lot of people are infuriated with since they can’t find a place to live among other things. I’m shocked that it led to a low turnout with most of those that did bother voting no.
When is the re run? Back to the European Masters to see what they have to say about, before they spin us more Shyyyte no doubt
Durable ? I thought they said Gerbil… Sure durable makes no sense at all.
Just another #$&# up to their long list of @#$# ups
It’s not looking good for citizen assemblies. I fully support them, but the amendments put forward by then keep getting defeated.
10 hours later the political parties can’t read the tea leafs. We the Irish are not stupid all political parties tried to get away with lying to us
Sinn Fein wanted a Yes Yes, if you want change, Sinn Fein is not the answer
Now, fix the country you baffoon.
For wasting 20 million all st Patricks day foreign jollies should ALL be cancelled.
With EVERY Political Party recommening a Yes Yes vote except for the individuals in the PBP party… Who should the general public vote for in the next election ??
@Blue Moon: Aontu, the real opposition and the only real alternative, opposed this farcical referendum. I will be voting for them unless something better comes along and there is no sign of that happening at the moment.
@Blue Moon: Nobody in Dail Eirinn has the interests of the Irish people at heart, the battle will have to be brought to the streets to reclaim our country.
The presentation was terrible. IT was a lot of gobbly gook!!
This is to m to the b who commented on my earlier post when I said “ democracy is a joke in this country “For some reason I can’t answer any other posts , I can only post from the bottom of the page. In anyway what I meant was there is absolutely no accountability to these politicians who constantly lie to the public. Along with all the other scandals we have witnessed over the last 10-15 years. I am glad it was a no no vote but I m afraid all these lies and scandals by government will be forgotten. Leo,s statement today is a classic saying he has every confidence in O, Gorman when O, Gorman has lied. So I stand by my statement that democracy is a joke in this country.
Am I the only one who doesn’t care about whatever this referendum is about?
About 70% of those who voted are not served by any major political party in this case and indeed by only a surprising one, Aontu. The wanton hubris on display is magnificent!
Hilarious to see Sinn Fein go for a yes vote and then back pedal and blame the government. As sign of how MLMcD will run things if in power?
Now is a great opportunity for some other political parties to rise up.
Get rid of the incumbent government and replace with with one who is in touch with the will of the people and has their best interests at heart.
Get rid of RTE or at least neuter it to the point of impartiality.
Leo is so depressing that he is going to America for st Patrick day with the money of tax payer
Holly Cairns, silly little girl
Leo looked like a naughty boy who was just caught with his hand in the cookie jar. As chastening an experience as we’re likely to see and truth be told I’m delighted. It’s clear FFG have lost their mandate to govern so it’s high time an election was called. A turkey voting for Christmas would be a likelier scenario than Leo facing the electorate a moment sooner than he needs to.
@Mary Sullivan: Or caught picking his nose
This is whats written in a uk paper this morning
Language drawn up by men born in the 1800s, referencing a woman’s life and duties being in the home? Easy by comparison. No government could mess this one up.
Enter Leo Varadkar and his hapless coalition.
This will be held up for many years as an example of how not to run a referendum campaign. Pay no attention to any international clickbait headlines declaring that on International Women’s Day, the Irish voted to keep women at home.
This wasn’t about the “sexist” language. It was about the government’s shambolic approach to the vote.
A reluctance to commit resources. Rejecting recommended replacement language in favour of vague aspirations that convinced no one. Poor messaging. And a perceived arrogance and complacency toward the electorate.
@6gRrQtLn: I’d expect the New York Times to run an article on how the Irish kept the women at home on International Women’s Day so the men could go out and vote to keep them at home. Then, when such a risible article is demonstrably and comprehensively proven incorrect, for the New York Times to neither recant nor apologise such is their hubris.
A repuls ive government led by 2 repuls ive leaders and a gormless waste of space Green leader.When you lie and have that much distain for the public, who voted for you, you deserve all that you get.
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