INDEPENDENT TDS WELCOME MASSIVE NO VOTE, SAY PEOPLE SICK OF NGOS TALKING DOWN TO THEM
Carol Nolan TD has led the reaction to today’s “landslide” rejection of both the 39th and 40th Amendments to the Constitution hitting out at “over €20 million euro wasted in a pointless referendum” supported by the government and Sinn Fein as the largest opposition party.
“Independents stood up to the government and will continue to lead the oppiositoin,” she said this afternoon, as it was revealed that the No vote was as high as 79 per cent in some areas of Dublin.
“Government’s ‘durable relationship’ with the people has ended in a spectacular public rebuke,” the Laois Offaly politician said today.
Deputy Nolan has said she was “delighted” at early indications that both government referendum amendments look to be heavily defeated.
Deputy Nolan was speaking as government Ministers, including leader of the Green Party, Eamon Ryan, conceded that the government’s message on both the family and care amendments was not accepted by the majority of people who voted:
“While we await final confirmation that both referendum propositions have been defeated, I think it is safe to say that the people have sent a very clear message to Government; we no longer want any kind of relationship with you, durable or otherwise,” said Deputy Nolan.
“If the No/No camp carries the day then it will effectively amount to a political earthquake; although I hold out no real hope such an outcome will be enough to generate serious reflection on how far they are out of touch with ordinary people.”
“These referendum votes were as much about the dominance that NGO’s have in our current political system as about anything else. People are sick to death of being talked down to by unelected NGO’s such as the National Women’s Council of Ireland, who should now clearly be seen as an ideological poison within the body politic,” she said.
“If the government had any cop-on it would shut the door and remove funding from these toxic NGO’s who represent nothing but their own self-interest.”
“I am proud and honoured to have advocated strongly for No vote on both counts, and I am moved beyond words at the sense of hope these votes have brought about,” Deputy Nolan concluded.
The Countess, who campaigned strongly for the rejection of both amendments, described the results as “a win for mothers, motherhood, women and families.”
“It is a win for truth, realism, and ordinary people,” said Laoise de Brún BL, CEO and Founder of the advocacy organisation.”
“Our message is powerful and it resonates locally across the country and globally. The world is watching. Ireland is a testing ground for unhinged hard-left policy and law and the government expected a slam dunk with this one.
“They misled the public, they misled the most vulnerable and that is especially unforgivable. They lied to carers of disabled (mothers, women) and to single parents (mothers) who this same state used to incarcerate. They tried to gaslight the nation.
“Well, the country is awake and it’s not working anymore. The veil has lifted. And it’s not pretty is it. They will do and say anything to force what they call progress/inclusivity/ but is really the cold lizard heart of neoliberalism mixed with gender ideology, onto the people. And thepeople are saying No. Enough.”
De Brún added: “An estimated 23 million Euro was spent on this referendum. Normal democratic processes were circumvented, and misinformation was spread by government ministers and prominent NGOs. There must be a proper examination of the conduct of this referendum.”
‘WOMEN AND MOTHERS ARE THE HEARTBEAT OF IRELAND’
Grassroots campaign Women and Mothers United, which advocated for a No/No vote, said it commended the Irish people “for protecting women, mothers, carers and families in the Irish Constitution.”
“Following yesterday’s referenda it is clear that women and mothers are the heartbeat of Ireland, Democracy works, the Constitution functions and Truth reigns,” the national group said.
“Today is a victory for the Irish by the Irish. Irish people have acknowledged the millions of mums who work outside the home and 1/4 million mothers who work in the home. They do so for the betterment of Ireland.
“Everyone has a Mother. We wish every mother in Ireland a Happy Mother’s Day.”
David Quinn of the Iona Institute, which campaigned for the rejection of both amendments, took to social media to describe the results as “amazing.”
“It seems that the areas with the highest number of lone parent families have voted by a gigantic margin against the very amendment aimed at them. Is that because of a rightful concern about whatever the hell a “durable relationship” might be? #Referendum2024,” he wrote on X.
Independent Ireland, of which Michael Collins TD and Richard O’Donoghue TD are members, said this afternoon that the people of Ireland have spoken, sending a message to government: “We have had enough.”
“This is a victory for women; a victory for mothers; a victory for families; a victory for the people of Ireland; a victory for democracy; and a victory for common sense,” Independent Ireland leader Michael Collins said.
“Independent Ireland and Independent politicians across Ireland have listened to our people and we know they have had enough of these parties,” Collins said of Sinn Fein, the Social Democrats, Fianna Fail, Fine Gael, Labour, and the Green Party.
Advocacy group Family Solidarity welcomed the “resounding” defeat, saying in a statement that Ireland had shown its “commitment to the traditional understanding of the family as based on marriage.”
“This vote stands as a critical moment in Irish history, marking the end of an era dominated by liberal conformity. This decision by the Irish electorate sends a powerful message about the importance of preserving foundational values in the face of sweeping societal changes,” Family Solidarity said.
“Confronting a formidable opposition – bolstered by significant state funding and the backing of a vast political and social establishment – the No campaign, though financially under-resourced, demonstrated the unwavering determination of those who champion the cause of family values in Ireland.
“This grassroots movement, fueled by the conviction and dedication of ordinary citizens, has successfully fought back against the pressures of liberal agendas, showcasing the deep-rooted commitment to the sanctity of marriage and family life of Irish people.
“This victory is not just a rejection of a specific referendum proposal; it is a declaration by the people of Ireland that the core unit of society – the family based on marriage – must remain protected and cherished. It underscores a collective desire to maintain the integrity of societal values that have long been the bedrock of our nation.”
Aontú, who campaigned for a No vote, said the government, the opposition, and especially Children’s Minister Roderic O’Gorman “now have serious questions to answer.”
“Today was a victory for the Irish people against the political establishment,” Peadar Toibin said on X.
“It was a David V Goliath campaign, and I am proud of the role Aontú played. The government has serious questions to answer. They misled the people. For that, they need to go.”
The Christian Solidarity Party also welcomed what looks to be a landslide No/No result, saying today, “David killed Golaith.”
Despite no longer being registered as a political party, the party continues to campaign on a socially conservative platform, including its opposition campaign to the Family and Care referendums.
“It was a battle reminiscent of David against Goliath, where the collective will of the people triumphed over the might of government and establishment forces. This victory sends a clear message: the government and its echo chamber are profoundly disconnected from the heart and soul of Irish society. Despite the considerable resources and state funding behind the Yes campaign, the electorate chose to reject their narrative, demonstrating that these entities do not represent the true concerns and values of the Irish people,” they said.
It added: “Yesterday’s vote is a resounding declaration that a significant portion of Irish society feels unrepresented by the current political landscape. It challenges the status quo and demands a reevaluation of who truly speaks for Ireland’s women and families. The reliance of the Yes campaign on state-funded parties and organisations, which have shown themselves to be out of step with the electorate’s values, underscores the urgent need for political renewal and genuine representation.”
Giving his reaction to the early results of the referendum, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said it was clear to say that the Family and Care referendums had been defeated “comprehensively” on a respectable turnout.
“The government accepts the result,” he said. “And will respect it fully. As head of government, on behalf of the government, we accept responsibility for the vote.
“It was our responsibility to convince the majority of people to vote yes, and we clearly failed to do so. I think we struggled to convince people of the need for the referendum at all, let alone the detail and wording – and that’s obviously something we’re going to have to reflect on into the weeks and months ahead.”
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