This referendum process began with a citizens’ assembly and has ended up with a cynical face-saving exercise for the minor coalition party. While the 39th amendment on the family is only a marginal improvement on an archaic constitutional text, we are advocating a Yes vote because it extends the status of ‘family’ to more people in different kinds of relationships.
On the care proposal in the referendum on the 40th amendment we are firmly backing a No vote. This is following extensive discussion in our party and with people with disabilities and carers who feel very strongly that the findings of the citizens’ assembly on this topic have been set aside.
“The seemingly progressive care amendment is a cynical window-dressing exercise which actually abdicates state responsibility for care and erodes the status of people with disabilities and carers. This is corroborated by people affected directly by the amendment as well as advocacy groups, experts and even acknowledged in part by the Green Party minister who proposed it.
It takes a certain level of hubris to call a citizens’ assembly and then ignore its findings while pressing on with a referendum exercise which is clearly a popularity gimmick given the day on which it is to be held. It is certainly a reasonable point to make that these referenda follow in a government tradition of tokenistic insults painted as progressive gestures.
“The ministers responsible for these referendums deserve the bloody nose the electorate wants to give them on it. This government has continually failed workers and carers, particularly women and people with disabilities.
Should the care amendment fail, as is looking increasingly likely, the referendum process should be rerun on the text proposed by the citizens’ assembly with resourcing attached accordingly. A universal right to care and independent life should be extended to everyone living in the State. Without domestic labour and care society would not function, and it should be the role of the state to ensure that its importance is reflected not only in language but in material supports, rights and status.”
Statement from Party Leader and Ireland South MEP Candidate @lornabogue.bsky.social :
#YesNo #FamilyRef #CareRef #Referendum #workersandcarers #ecosocialist #ireland #WorkersAreCarers #CarersAreWorkers #irishpolitics #irishpol #workers #carers #democracy