Ireland conducts referendums to modernize the nation’s outlook on family and care, with proposals to redefine family beyond marriage and remove dated references to women’s domestic roles.
Ireland held referendums on International Women’s Day to vote on two critical amendments to its constitution, which has been in place since 1937. The amendments aimed at modernising the nation’s perspective on family and care issues. The first proposal sought to redefine the concept of family to include relationships beyond marriage. The second aimed to eliminate references to women’s domestic roles in the home, making the constitution more inclusive and reflective of contemporary society’s values.
The voting, which saw participation from notable figures including President Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, and Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald, has stirred national debate on women’s roles, the scope of family, and the state’s responsibility in caregiving. The government, along with several political parties such as Sinn Féin, Labour, the Social Democrats, and People Before Profit, campaigned for a ‘Yes’ vote in favor of both amendments. In contrast, Aontú and other groups campaigned for a ‘No’ vote, citing concerns over wording and potential legal, taxation, and disability rights implications.
Concurrently, an all-party parliamentary committee in Ireland has recommended legislation allowing assisted dying for those with terminal illnesses, aligning the country with others like Switzerland and Canada. This recommendation has been welcomed by End of Life Ireland and Humanists UK, amidst concerns from religious and psychiatrist groups about moral implications and the potential for a “slippery slope.”
As counting begins, the country awaits the outcomes of the referendums, which could significantly reshape Ireland’s constitutional foundations concerning family and care, further signalling its ongoing societal transformation. Previous referendums have already marked progress in areas like divorce, same-sex marriage, and abortion. The official results, expected to be announced at Dublin Castle, will determine the direction of constitutional change in Ireland, reflective of modern values and societal shifts.
