A ballot box is emptied as counting for the twin referenda to change the Constitution on family and care continues at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin Credit: Damien Storan/PA WireThe boxes were opened at 9am after the public went to the polls on Friday to vote on whether to change the wording of the Constitution relating to the areas of family and care.
“I don’t think you can respect the people’s vote by saying ‘what went wrong, the people didn’t vote the right way’. The Constitution is the fundamental legal document for the country and can only be changed with the approval of Irish citizens through a national vote.Why does the Government want them changed?
Mr Varadkar said a change to the constitution was needed “because it puts an obligation on the state to strive to support” family care provided by everyone, not just married parents.What do critics of the proposals say? Critics have also argued changes could constitutionally protect polygamous relationships and increase immigration via migrant family reunions. The government has denied these claims.