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image source, PA/Damien Strang
Returning officer Barry Ryan reads out the final results at Dublin Castle.
Voters in the Republic of Ireland overwhelmingly voted against amending the Irish Constitution.
A proposal to change the wording of the constitution to include families not based on marriage was rejected with 67.7% voting “no.”
A second proposed change to language regarding women’s roles in the home was rejected by a wide margin, with 73.9% of voters rejecting it.
This was the highest non-voter rate ever in an Irish referendum.
The first result announced on Saturday evening was the family referendum.
Mr Leo Varadkar said the amendment had been a “total failure”.
Donegal had the highest number of ‘no’ votes, with 80 per cent against families and 84 per cent against care.
Dun Laoghaire, south-east of Dublin, was the only county to vote narrowly in favor of changing the definition of family.
After a long wait, Waterford has become the last constituency to declare the result of its care referendum.
In the nursing care referendum, which asked about the role of women in the home, 1,114,620 people voted “no,” while 393,053 people voted “yes,” or 26.07% of the total.
Turnout in the referendum held on Friday was 44.4%.
“A total defeat”
image source, ronald grant
The results of the referendum will be announced on Friday.
Earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was “clear” that both referendums had been rejected.
Mr Varadkar said it was clear both amendments were “rejected across the board with a significant turnout”.
He said the Irish government accepted the outcome and “fully respects it”.
“As heads of government and on behalf of government, we accept responsibility for the outcome.”
“It was our responsibility to convince the majority of the people to vote ‘yes’, and clearly we were not able to do that.”
image source, PA/Damien Strang
Senator Michael McDowell (left) with no campaigner
Meanwhile, Tánasteh (Irish Deputy Prime Minister) Michael Martin said he fully accepted the decision of the Irish people.
“The majority were clearly not convinced on the merits of the two proposals put forward,” he said.
The results were clear from the start – Darran Marshall, BBC News NI – Dublin
The courtyard of Dublin Castle has witnessed many historical moments.
It’s where crowds have gathered in recent years to celebrate significant changes to the country’s constitution, including referendums on same-sex marriage and abortion reform.
There was no such scene today. There are no big crowds. No celebration. The courtyard was deserted, except for a few Aontu supporters.
Within minutes of the ballot boxes opening this morning, it was clear that voters had rejected both proposals for constitutional amendment.
The only question will be how large the margin of defeat will be for the government and the main opposition party.
The Taoiseach stayed here briefly and spoke to the media in a room inside Dublin Castle.
Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also spoke to waiting media, but her comments were interrupted by several hecklers.
Earlier on Saturday, Green Party leader Eamonn Ryan, who had given a “yes” vote, said the result would be respected.
Green Party leader Eamonn Ryan says result should be respected
“This is the voice of the people, and under our constitution, the people are sovereign,” Ryan said.
“They decide what goes into our Constitution.”
Mr Ryan, who was at the RDS counting center in Dublin, said: “If both votes are against, we have to respect that.”
Mary Lou McDonald says party remains ‘very’ in touch with the public
When Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald arrived at Dublin Castle, she was jeered by a small crowd and taunted as a “traitor to the Irish people.”
The party insisted on a “yes, yes” vote, but said the government had “poorly expressed it thoughtfully” and there was a “lack of clarity”.
Mr McDonald said the Irish people had been spoken to “very, very clearly” but insisted the party was still “very” in touch with them.
“They ignored the citizens’ assembly, they didn’t consult the opposition and other stakeholders. They didn’t cooperate, they couldn’t persuade,” she said.
Vote counting continues in Ireland’s twin referendums
Government misjudges voters’ mood – McDowell
Senator Michael McDowell, who opposed the amendment to Ireland’s constitution, said the result suggested “whether there is a significant margin across the country”.
Mr McDowell, a former deputy prime minister and justice minister, said: “The government appears to have misjudged the mood of the voters and thrust before them an unexplained proposal, one that could have serious consequences.” said.
“Virtue Signaling” – Tobin
Aontu leader Pedar Tobin, who also supported the “No” campaign, described the amendment in vague terms as the government’s “virtue signaling”.
Pedar Tobin describes proposed amendments as ‘virtue communication’
He added: “The Sinn Féin leadership appears to be isolated from its former support base and voters, which is a very dangerous situation for Mary Lou and the Sinn Féin leadership.”
A turning point for people with disabilities – Clonan
Senator Tom Cronan said the wording of the care referendum was “detrimental” to the fundamental human rights of people with disabilities.
Ms Cronan, who has a 22-year-old disabled son, said she wanted discussions about “disability discrimination” to take place now.
He said a “yes” vote would damage Ireland’s international reputation.
“The state is terrible in its treatment of its citizens with disabilities. We must now discuss this issue in the future, how to actually align with other European countries, and how to justify the rights of disabled citizens. I am blessed with the opportunity to find out what to do.
“I hope this is a turning point for our citizens with disabilities.”
What did voters ask about family?
Those taking part in Friday’s referendum were given two ballots, one white and one green, and asked to vote yes (Tá) or against (Níl).
The Irish Constitution currently provides legal protection for the family unit, but links the concept of family to the institution of marriage.
The amendment called for expanding the constitutional definition of family to include other “permanent relationships.”
The amendment called for expanding the constitutional definition of family to include other “permanent relationships” such as unmarried couples and single-parent families.
What is Care Modification?
The Green Vote asked voters whether to accept or reject the 40th Amendment Bill, or the Cares Amendment.
Currently, the Irish Constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann) states that mothers should not ignore their “family duties” and go to work.
It also states that women’s “domestic life” is a source of support to the state that is necessary for the “common good.”
The proposed amendment called for removing both of these provisions and adding new language stating that the state “shall endeavor to support” the provision of family-based care.
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