The election commission has launched its own information campaign, with the campaign for the upcoming March referendum officially starting today.
On March 8, voters will go to the polls to decide on two amendments to the Irish Constitution, one on care provision (the 'Women in the Home' referendum) and the other on the definition of family. be.
This morning in Dublin, An Coimisiún Toghcháin (Electoral Commission) officially launched an information campaign.
Speaking at a launch in Grangegorman this morning, Supreme Court Justice Marie Baker said voters should be aware of where they are getting their information in relation to the referendum and make sure to separate fact from opinion. Said it was necessary.
“This is important because a lot of what has been said is opinion, and obviously the debate generally revolves around people's opinions,” Justice Baker said.
As part of its efforts, the European Commission, which is responsible for providing impartial information about the referendum, will distribute information booklets to 2.3 million households in Ireland by March 8.
The booklet is scheduled to be delivered to all households by March 1st.
“These two referendums give people a choice between maintaining or changing the way our Constitution recognizes, first, the concept of the family unit and, second, the role played by family caregivers. These are two important votes that will help shape future laws and court decisions,” Judge Baker said.
Judge Baker urged voters to cast their ballots on March 8, “or others will decide.”
Concerns about misinformation
Mr Justice Baker said international evidence showed there was an element of disinformation in every election, including the potential for disinformation to disrupt the March referendum.
“Our role in the referendum is to provide that information in an objective and clear way and we intend to do that and the booklet is the start of that,” she said.
Lasting Relationships – Do you get Christmas cards for couples?
One of the key areas to be discussed ahead of the referendum so far is proposed changes to the definition of family in the Irish Constitution.
The Family Amendment, or the 39th Amendment to the Constitution, proposes to amend article 41.1.1 to insert the words “whether based on marriage or other permanent relationship”.
Concerns have been raised about the term “durability,” but what that means is not defined in the proposed document.
Mr Justice Baker today argued that the word “enduring” and the idea of permanence in a relationship already have meaning in court.
“These are new words in this Constitution, but they are not new words to lawyers. And that's what matters,” she said.
“The Constitution, by its very nature, is expressed in very general terms and must last. This has been the case since 1937, so while the terminology must be specific, , don’t be too specific,” she said.
The Election Commission will begin election activities from today. jane matthews
jane matthews
She noted that there were “signs of the durability of the relationship” in recent Supreme Court decisions.
For example, sending a couple a Christmas card or inviting them to a wedding together can be indicators of a lasting relationship.
“Subjectively speaking, if a relationship is committed, or appears to be committed, then that relationship is durable.
“Durability can affect how you are treated by others. Are you invited to weddings as a couple? Do people send you two Christmas cards? These show your devotion to each other.” It shows,” she said.
National Women's Council Campaign
Meanwhile, the National Women's Council (NWC) today also launched a campaign in support of a yes vote in both referendums.
NWC Director Orla O'Connor said: “Today we are calling for sexist and stereotypical references to women's place in the home to be removed from the Constitution and replaced with recognition of a shared responsibility for care.”
“Article 41(2) never led to support for women to work exclusively within the home, but supported discriminatory practices such as prohibitions on marriage and the exclusion of women from many sectors of society.''
Mr O'Connor said the definition of family needed to be updated to reflect the “reality and diversity” of family life in Ireland today.
