No-No result on the cards in referendums as Eamon Ryan admits ‘the case we presented didn’t win’
Sources in both Fianna Fáil and the Labour Party predicting a No vote in both referendumsGreen Party Minister says ‘indications are not good’Voting turnout very low in places
Politicians react as early indications suggest a No-No vote on the cards
Early indications suggest a No-No result with counting well underway in the Referendums.
Follow the Irish Independent’s live blog across the day here for reaction, analysis and results as the nation decides on proposed changes to the Constitution.
Key updates
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan accept both referendums are unlikely to pass. Mr Ryan said the Government has to accept the will of the people and it will be for another administration to re-run the referendums. Mr Ryan said the Government “owns” the wording and added the “obviously the case we presented didn’t win”.
Our Political Editor Philip Ryan writes:
Sources in the Labour Party and Fianna Fáil are predicting a no vote in the both the referendums on family and care.
Early indications from tallies taken of the two ballot papers being separated show areas in Dublin considered working class have overwhelming vote against the two proposed constitutional changes.
The votes are tighter in more affluent parts of the city but still show a No-No vote in many ballot boxes.
Some campaigners left the RDS Dublin Count Centre before 10am believing the vote had been lost.
The blame game now begins with criticism of how the Government managed the drafting of the constitutional claims and how they campaigned.
Green Party leader Eamon Ryan accept both referendums are unlikely to pass. Mr Ryan said the Government has to accept the will of the people and it will be for another administration to re-run the referendums.
Mr Ryan said the Government “owns” the wording and added the “obviously the case we presented didn’t win”.
Mr Ryan said the Government “owns” the wording and added the “obviously the case we presented didn’t win”.
Irish Senator and No campaigner Michael McDowell as counting for the twin referenda to change the Constitution on family and care continues at the Royal Dublin Society in Dublin (RDS) in Dublin. Damien Storan/ PA
Deputy Political Editor, Hugh O'Connell writes:
While Integration Minister Joe O'Brien has publicly said it is too early to call senior Government figures are now privately conceding that both referendums will be defeated. "While disappointing it is not going to interfere with Government getting on with all its other commitments," a senior source said.
While Integration Minister Joe O'Brien has publicly said it is too early to call senior Government figures are now privately conceding that both referendums will be defeated. "While disappointing it is not going to interfere with Government getting on with all its other commitments," a senior source said.
Eavan Murray in Mayo
Mayo is following form for the rest of the country and early tallies indicate it will be resounding No-No in the referendums.
Tallies of one box held just eight yes votes in the family referendum.
Mayo is following form for the rest of the country and early tallies indicate it will be resounding No-No in the referendums.
Tallies of one box held just eight yes votes in the family referendum.
Early tallies in Castlebar have the family referendum at 62 Yes votes to amend and 154 No to amend the wording of the constitution.
Early tallies in the Care referendum show again a resounding victory for No campaigners with votes tallied at 60 Yes and 174 No.
Early tallies in the Care referendum show again a resounding victory for No campaigners with votes tallied at 60 Yes and 174 No.
'High level bad politics', says Irish Independent Head of News, Kevin Doyle:
Speaking to the Irish Independent, former justice minister Michael McDowell, who campaigned for a No vote in both referendums said "the people have spoken, it's their Constitution, they've made a wise decision, they've rejected what I consider to be foolish amendments".
He said he expects both to be 60pc in favour of No.
He said he expects both to be 60pc in favour of No.
'Not good'
Green Party Minister Joe O'Brien told the Irish Independent he is not accepting defeat yet but "indications are not good".
Green Party Minister Joe O'Brien told the Irish Independent he is not accepting defeat yet but "indications are not good".
CONFUSION REIGNS
Despite both referendums seeing a low turnout, barrister Peter Leonard told Newstalk's Anton Savage Show this morning that it's still "too early to predict how it's going to go".
Despite both referendums seeing a low turnout, barrister Peter Leonard told Newstalk's Anton Savage Show this morning that it's still "too early to predict how it's going to go".
"But it does sound like there's a bit of confusion out there," he said.
"So there will be areas in the country where people will come out but I do think those opposed have the stronger motivation to come out.
"I think the public at large might be generally supportive of it, but those that really feel strongly about it will get out.
"So the fact that it's a low turnout, I think favours potentially a 'no' vote, but we don't know that," he added.
CORK
Our southern correspondent, Ralph Riegel is in Cork with an early lie of the land:
Turnout in Cork for the referendum votes was boosted by a large late evening poll between 6pm and 10pm. The count at Nemo Rangers in Douglas commenced at 9am today with turnout calculated at 45.5pc for Cork South Central and 42.9pc for Cork North Central. A result is expected in the early afternoon.
Our southern correspondent, Ralph Riegel is in Cork with an early lie of the land:
Turnout in Cork for the referendum votes was boosted by a large late evening poll between 6pm and 10pm. The count at Nemo Rangers in Douglas commenced at 9am today with turnout calculated at 45.5pc for Cork South Central and 42.9pc for Cork North Central. A result is expected in the early afternoon.
Here's a glimpse of what's going on in count centres nationwide, this one taken at the RDS, Dublin:
Damien Storan/ PA
Former Labour politician Kevin Humphreys says it's leaning towards a no on early boxes in Dublin South Central...but remember, it's still very early days. Don't think anyone will want to make a strong prediction yet.
So, with ballot boxes now open, here's what to expect from today:
- Counting of the ballots takes place on a constituency basis at various centres around the country
- The family referendum will be counted first with results expected in the early afternoon
- This will be followed by the care referendum and results anticipated early evening
- National results will then be declared at Dublin Castle
Our political correspondent, Senan Molony writes this morning that a new record low turnout at the polling booths was possible.
In 2012, the Children's Rights referendum recorded a 34pc turnout and barely passed, while the first Nice Treaty referendum saw similar numbers and was defeated.
You can read more here:
In 2012, the Children's Rights referendum recorded a 34pc turnout and barely passed, while the first Nice Treaty referendum saw similar numbers and was defeated.
You can read more here:
And we're off, counting has begun at centres nationwide.
Good morning!
Counting is imminent as the country decides on proposed changes in the Constitution on family in care.
With turnout as low as 25pc in places, a clear picture is expected early doors when tally figures begin to emerge.
Counting is imminent as the country decides on proposed changes in the Constitution on family in care.
With turnout as low as 25pc in places, a clear picture is expected early doors when tally figures begin to emerge.