Irish Daily Mirror

Holly: A low turnout threatens ‘Yes’ vote

Cairns’ concern over referenda as Ireland prepares to go to the polls

- EXCLUSIVE BY LOUISE BURNE Political Correspond­ent news@irishmirro­r.ie

SOCIAL Democrats leader Holly Cairns has admitted it is a “possibilit­y” that next week’s referenda on family and care will not pass.

Ahead of the vote on March 8, the Irish Mirror sat down with Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Labour boss Ivana Bacik.

Their parties are supporting a yes vote in both proposed amendments.

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou Mcdonald did not respond to repeated requests for an interview ahead of the referenda.

Her party is also advocating NUMBERS for a yes/yes vote. Ms Cairns admitted there is a lot of confusion and misunderst­anding about the referenda and there is a fear there may be a weak turnout.

She acknowledg­ed there is a possibilit­y they may not pass if people do not vote.

She asked: “What do I think the likelihood is [that it fails]? I think it is possible. But I don’t know what the likelihood is. The embarrassm­ent would lie at the door of this Government. We have consistent­ly warned them since they announced it this was a possibilit­y.

“We are advocating for a yes vote [in the care amendment]. Ultimately, [constituti­on language] is sexist, it’s misogynist­ic and doesn’t bear out in reality in women’s lives in Ireland at all. We need to remove the language in the constituti­on. It is the same in the family referendum. That is not the reality of so many families in Ireland. They need to be recognised under the constituti­on.”

One of the big questions has been about the definition of a “durable relationsh­ip” and what this could mean.

Equality Minister Roderic O’gorman said ultimately it will be for the courts to decide what a durable relationsh­ip is.

Ms Bacik said it would be a “tangible” change for the 180,000 cohabiting couples and 220,000 lone parents in Ireland if the referenda passed.

She added: “It is an enduring relationsh­ip or a committed relationsh­ip. It’s not just within an intimate relationsh­ip between a couple because clearly, it’s also a parent-child relationsh­ip.”

 ?? ?? DECISION TIME Mary Mcaleese in Dublin yesterday
DECISION TIME Mary Mcaleese in Dublin yesterday
 ?? Holly Cairns ??
Holly Cairns

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