Politicians feeling the heat ahead of Local and European elections as Coalition licks its wounds

A Cabinet source said the “scale of the rejection” was such that it called much into question – and the polls in 11 weeks’ time will determine whether there is deep and wide public hostility to the Government parties.

“We’ve never had a scale of defeat as this. The timing backfired, the wording backfired and so did the politics. This leaves a scar,” the source said.

“If it has a greater importance the locals and Europeans will show that, and then there could be major ramifications.”

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said he fully accepted the people’s decision and was comfortable with their verdict, even as some of Fianna Fáil’s leading lights attacked the party’s involvement in pushing for Yes-Yes.

Poll-topping veteran Limerick City TD Willie O’Dea said: “Fianna Fáil needs to get back to basics and to abandon the hate speech bill,” referring to legislation brought by Justice Minister Helen McEntee.

Mr O’Dea said the party should focus on housing and health as well as law and order, adding: “Stop playing to the woke gallery. Start listening to the people and stop talking down to them.” He also blasted “out-of-touch Greens and NGOs”.

Fianna Fáil leader in the Seanad Lisa Chambers said she fully agreed with Mr O’Dea and had voted No-No.

She also called for a revisiting of the hate speech legislation. The party’s youngest deputy, James O’Connor of Cork East, said: “I couldn’t agree more.”

But Finance Minister Michael McGrath later backed the draft law, which is claimed by some to be an impediment to free speech, saying it was a government commitment.

Meanwhile, the fallout from the failed referendums at the weekend has begun in the NGO and charity sector.

The immediate resignation of leadership in Family Carers Ireland (FCI) has been demanded after it backed a Yes vote. The call came from Michael O’Dowd of Equality Not Care.

Mr O’Dowd criticised a statement in the name of FCI on social media bemoaning the defeats which attracted many negative comments .

“Many were from members resigning from the organisation in protest at their stance during the campaign. It is clear that the aspirations of carers and the official position of FCI are literally poles apart,” he said.

The whole objective of FCI during the campaign was to act as surrogate for the Government, he said, to “the detriment of the carers it was set up to lobby for”.

There was controversy earlier in the campaign when Senator Michael McDowell highlighted what he said was a warning from Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman that “progressive” organisations in receipt of state funding would have to explain to their members if they failed to back a Yes vote.​

In a statement to the Irish Independent, FCI said: “FCI acknowledges the results of the referendums on family and care with the utmost respect for the democratic process and the diverse opinions within our community. We also acknowledge the hurt arising on all sides during what has been a difficult campaign.”

The organisation said its focus remained on family carers.

“We take seriously the criticisms of our approach to the campaign,” it said. “We are dedicated to learning from this experience and to continuing our work with renewed sensitivity to the varied needs and views of the caring community.”