Today\u2019s referendum result is a direct consequence of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns.<\/p>\n
Deputy Cairns said:<\/p>\n
\u201cThe defeat of both the family and care referendums is the result of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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\u2019s Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe low voter turnout yesterday, and the resounding \u2018no\u2019 result, is due to the Government\u2019s failure to properly engage with the public from the outset of this shambolic referendum campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe electorate were confused by the wording of the family amendment \u2013 and the implications of it on things like succession rights \u2013 and unimpressed at the lack of ambition in the care referendum.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am disappointed that the family referendum has failed, given it is discriminatory that the Constitution recognises just one form of family \u2013 the marital family.<\/p>\n
\u201cIssues raised by No campaigners in relation to the lack of clarity on the implications of the change in other areas of law were clearly effective in swaying voters. A lack of clear planning, and definitive responses, from the Government helped to sow this confusion.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn recent days, a \u2018no\u2019 vote on the care amendment was looking increasingly likely – in large part because of the Government\u2019s appalling decision to reject wording overwhelmingly endorsed by the Citizens\u2019 Assembly.<\/p>\n
\u201cInflammatory comments made on television by the Taoiseach \u2013 just days before polling \u2013 will have done little to convince voters about the State\u2019s commitment to support carers and vindicate the rights of disabled people.<\/p>\n
\u201cMany 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the interim, there is nothing stopping the Government from demonstrating that they can pay more than just lip service to disability rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn obvious, immediate next step is for the Government to ratify the Optional Protocol on the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities without any further excuses or delay.\u201d<\/p>\n
March 9, 2024<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Today\u2019s referendum result is a direct consequence of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government, according to Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns. Deputy Cairns said: \u201cThe defeat of both the family and care referendums is the result of a rushed and confused campaign by the Government. \u201cThe Government delayed publishing the wording of both […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":3645,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[400,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4606","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-holly-cairns","category-press-release"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n