In a recent series of referendums in the Republic of Ireland, voters rejected proposed changes to the Irish Constitution by a significant margin. With 67.7% rejecting amendments to include families not based on marriage, and 73.9% rejecting changes to the role of women in the home, it is clear that these amendments did not resonate with the majority of voters.
Donegal had the highest ‘no’ votes, with 80% opposing changes to the definition of family and 84% rejecting alterations to the role of women in the home. Despite a turnout of 44.4%, lower than the 64.1% seen in a 2018 abortion law referendum, the message from the voters was loud and clear.
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar acknowledged that the amendments were “defeated comprehensively” and the government has accepted the result. However, Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald criticized the government for lack of clarity in their proposals, while Aontú Leader Peadar Tóibín deemed the amendments as “virtue signalling”.
Senator Tom Clonan expressed hope that the outcome of the referendums would spark a conversation about the treatment of disabled citizens in Ireland. Voters were asked to either accept or reject amendments that would expand the definition of family and change the role of women in the home in the Irish Constitution, and it seems that the majority have spoken in rejecting these changes.
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