Irish government faces setbacks in updating antiquated constitution

The Irish government admitted on Saturday that it probably lost two referenda aimed at changing what they described as "sexist" language in the constitution, which was a humiliating defeat.

Ireland held the votes on Friday, purposely scheduled to align with International Women's Day, to remove two constitutional references.

Irish Transport Minister Eamon Ryan shared his views on the proposed changes in a televised interview with RTE News. He mentioned that it seems like a 'no' vote on both issues. One perspective highlighted the importance of marriage in forming the family unit, while another emphasized how women contribute to the Irish state by dedicating their lives to home duties.

Ryan mentioned that they will have to wait for the final count to be completed. If the outcome is a 'no' vote, they will need to respect that decision.

He further emphasized the importance of respecting the outcome, as it represents the voice and choice of the people.

Official results for both votes are anticipated to be revealed later on Saturday.

Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar supported the vote as an opportunity to update outdated and sexist language regarding women.

Throughout the day, there was a low turnout reported by PA Media, with less than 30% of registered voters in some areas.

If the votes are approved, the constitution would state that the family is founded on either marriage or other long-lasting relationships.

Religious and socially conservative groups who advocated for a "No" vote opposed the idea of a "durable relationship" and favored the constitution's original language.

During a heated RTE debate leading up to the vote, conservative activist Maria Steen debated with Irish deputy prime minister Micheál Martin, emphasizing that "the truth is, most women do the majority of household work."

Ireland's constitution, which was published in 1937, was heavily influenced by Catholic social teachings, as noted by legal scholars. However, in recent decades, the Catholic influence has been on the decline, especially due to a series of abuse scandals involving the clergy that have shaken the country's Church.

In recent years, Ireland has conducted referendums on various social issues, with voters consistently backing progressive amendments to the constitution.

In 2015, there was strong support from voters for the legalization of same-sex marriage. Then, three years later, the public voted to lift an abortion ban. Following this, in 2019, divorce laws were relaxed after a referendum.

This is an ongoing story and we will provide updates as they become available.

Editor's P/S:

The outcome of the Irish referenda, which aimed to modernize the constitution's language, is a complex reflection of the country's evolving social and political landscape. The "no" vote suggests a resurgence of conservative values, particularly among older voters and those in rural areas. However, the low turnout also indicates a lack of engagement with the issue, potentially due to the technical nature of the proposed changes.

The debate surrounding the referenda highlighted the ongoing influence of religious and traditional views on Irish society. Despite significant social progress in recent years, the Catholic Church's historical dominance continues to shape attitudes towards family and gender roles. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to the referendum results and whether it will pursue further constitutional reform in the future. that the path to gender equity is often fraught with resistance and that even in progressive societies, deeply held beliefs can be slow to change.