News | Latest Breaking News Stories & Headlines

Michael McGrath said the biggest problem in the care sector has been lack of staff (file photo)

Govt to try deliver tangible carer supports - McGrath

Minister for Finance Micheal McGrath has said the Government will have to "reflect" on whether the next budget should have specific measures to assist carers in light of the twin referendum results.

Politics • 11 Mar 24

Voters rejected both the Family and Care referendums

Watch: Key moments as twin referendums defeated

The Government has suffered resounding defeats in the twin referendums on Family and Care.

Ireland • 09 Mar 24

The defeats are on course to be far greater than even the No sides had anticipated (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Blame game under way after dual Dublin Castle clobbering

Ten years ago Enda Kenny stood in the courtyard of Dublin Castle and said his government had been dealt a "wallop" following the rejection of the referendum to abolish the Seanad.

Analysis and Comment • 09 Mar 24

Senator Michael McDowell welcomed the early tallies showing that the voters would reject both questions (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Govt 'misjudged the mood of the electorate' - McDowell

The Government "misjudged the mood of the electorate" on the two referendums, according to an Independent senator who campaigned against the proposed changes to the constitution.

Referendum • 09 Mar 24

The overall Referendum Returning Officer Barry Ryan made the official declaration in Dublin Castle shortly before 7pm

Resounding defeat for Family referendum as 67.7% vote No

The Family referendum has been resoundingly defeated with the result showing 67.7% voted No and 32.3% voted Yes.

Ireland • 13 Mar 24

Maria McSweeney casts her ballot inside the polling station set up in the living room of an islander, one of the 28 registered to vote, on Oileán Ghabhla, off Donegal

Voter turnout hits 50% in parts as polling closes

Turnout at polling stations reached 50% in parts of the country as voting in the referendums on Family and Care closed.

Politics • 08 Mar 24

Ms Justice Marie Baker pictured at Kilmore Quay this morning

'Huge' public engagement with referendum campaign

The independent chairperson of the Electoral Commission has said there has been "huge" public engagement with the current referendum campaign and that she hopes there will not be a low turnout on Friday.

Politics • 05 Mar 24

Voters will head to the polls on 8 March to vote in two referendums to make further changes to the Constitution

Taoiseach says referendums are 'in the balance'

The Taoiseach has said the referendums on Family and Care are in the balance ahead of polling day on Friday.

Politics • 04 Mar 24

On 8 March voters will go to the polls to vote in twin referendums

Experts share opposing views on upcoming Care referendum

Two experts share opposing views on the upcoming Care referendum which proposes removing articles 41.2.1 and 41.2.2, referring to the life of women in the home, while inserting a new article on the provision of care.

Ireland • 03 Mar 24

As we enter the final few days of the campaign, nobody is taking anything for granted

Countdown to polling on 8 March twin referendums

This day next week it will be known whether or not the Irish people have decided to make further changes to the Constitution after what will be voters' first opportunity to cast a ballot in more than four years.

Analysis and Comment • 03 Mar 24

The Bishops said they wish to offer 'reflections to help inform the consciences of Christians and other who are concerned'

Bishops express concerns over wording of referendums

The Irish Catholic Bishops have said the proposed Family amendment to the Constitution diminishes the unique importance of the relationship between marriage and family in the eyes of society and the State, and is likely to lead to a weakening of the incentive for young people to marry.

Ireland • 25 Feb 24

Mary Butler said family units that exist outside of marriage deserve the same constitutional rights as married couples

'Durable relationship' means permanent, stable - Butler

Minister of State Mary Butler has said the wording of "durable relationships" in the upcoming family referendum is to capture the "wide range of families in Ireland today that are not based on marriage".

Ireland • 24 Feb 24

Ms Justice Marie Baker is Chair of The Electoral Commission

Referendums: Q&A with The Electoral Commission

You have been asking plenty of questions about the upcoming referendums on family and care on our social media platforms.

Ireland • 20 Feb 24

Ivana Bacik and Labour's director of elections for the referendums Senator Marie Sherlock (Pic: RollingNews.ie)

Labour calls for yes votes in upcoming referendums

Labour has officially launched its family and care referendums campaign with party leader Ivana Bacik saying it is campaigning for a yes-yes vote.

Ireland • 19 Feb 24

Government wants to meet its deadline of a referendum by the end of November

Why is Govt struggling to agree referendum wording?

For years politicians have been facing the prospect of holding a referendum to remove outdated language which refers to women in the home from the Constitution.

Analysis and Comment • 30 Jul 23

The result set off celebrations across the capital Santiago and other cities

Chileans vote overwhelmingly for new constitution

Chileans have voted overwhelmingly in a landmark referendum to replace their dictatorship-era constitution, long seen as underpinning the nation's glaring economic and social inequalities.

World • 26 Oct 20

It came as ministers moved to try to head off an attempt by MPs to seize control of Commons business in a bid to secure a 'softer' Brexit

Third vote on deal may not take place next week - May

British Prime Minister Theresa May has admitted she may not garner enough support to get her twice-defeated Brexit deal through the Commons next week, amid mounting speculation about the future of her leadership.

Brexit • 23 Mar 19

The Government believes it will not have enough time to focus on the referendum due to the uncertainty over Brexit

Referendum on voting rights for citizens abroad delayed

A referendum that was set to ask the public if they wanted to extend voting rights in Presidential Elections to Irish citizens abroad has been postponed until the autumn.

Ireland • 05 Feb 19

The aim would be to retain public ownership of any company charged with responsibility for the supply of water services

Govt to consider vote on ownership of water services

The Cabinet has given its approval for Minister for Housing Eoghan Murphy to contact the Attorney General about holding a referendum regarding the State affording constitutional protection to the supply of water services.

Politics • 20 Nov 18

A group of UK business chiefs want a referendum on whether to leave the European Union on the terms that Theresa May hopes to negotiate or to stay in the world's biggest trading bloc

UK business chiefs call for another EU referendum

A group of UK business chiefs today called for a referendum on whether to leave the European Union on the terms that Prime Minister Theresa May hopes to negotiate or to stay in the world's biggest trading bloc.

Business • 08 Nov 18

Minister Charlie Flanagan said there was a difficulty finding a precise meaning of the concept of blasphemy

Blasphemy amendment passes all stages in the Dáil

The Thirty Seventh amendment of the constitution, which seeks to remove the reference of blasphemy from the constitution, has passed all stages in the Dáil.

News • 18 Sep 18

A vote was due to take place on the same day as the Presidential Election

Referendum on place of women in the home deferred

A referendum on the place of women in the home will not take place in October, following a decision made by an Oireachtas committee.

Politics • 05 Sep 18

Mr Justice Peter Kelly said the applicants did not demonstrate prima facie evidence of matters that would effect the result

High Court refuses challenge to referendum result

The High Court has refused permission to two people seeking to challenge the result of the referendum on the Eighth Amendment.

Courts • 20 Jul 18

It had been expected the referendum on Article 41.2 could take place in October

Govt to ask cttee to meet next week on referendum

The Government is to ask the chair of the Oireachtas Justice Committee to consider reconvening the committee next week to scrutinise the legislation for the referendum on a woman's place in the home.

Politics • 12 Jul 18

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said Article 41.2 had no place in the Constitution

Referendum to delete provision on women's duties

The Cabinet has decided to hold a referendum on an "outdated" provision in the Constitution which refers to a woman's life and duties in the home.

Politics • 05 Jul 18