Ireland Rejects Constitutional Amendments on Family and Care

In a significant setback, Irish voters overwhelmingly defeat proposals to modernize the constitution regarding family structure and care duties.

Irish voters delivered a resounding no to two government proposals aimed at updating the constitution to reflect modern family structures and the value of care within the home.
The first proposal sought to expand the constitutional definition of family beyond marriage to include 'durable relationships,' but was defeated with 67.7% voting against.
The second proposal aimed to replace a sexist clause about mothers' duties in the home with a gender-neutral recognition of family care, but faced a historic defeat with 73.9% voting no.
Critics argue the defeats reflect a failure in the government's campaign strategy and a lack of clarity in the proposed amendments.
The double defeat marks an end to a decade of constitutional reform in Ireland, highlighting the challenges of addressing complex social issues through referendums.