Video: Bryan O'BrienTwo referendums on the definition of family and the role of care have been comprehensively defeated, as Taoiseach Leo Varadkar admitted the Government failed to convince the public and was given “two wallops” by the electorate. The referendum on family – which proposed extending the definition of family to those based on durable relationships as well as those based on marriage – was defeated with 67.69 per cent voting No. The referendum on care – which proposed deleting the reference to a woman’s life in the home and a mother’s duties in the home and replacing it with a recognition of care within the family – was also heavily defeated, with 73.9 per cent voting No. Party leader Peadar Tóibín said Mr O’Gorman has “serious questions to answer now in relation to this”. In Cork East, where turnout was 42.49 per cent, 31.73 per cent voted Yes, with 68.27 per cent voting No.

Source: The Irish Times March 10, 2024 17:51 UTC