Labour to campaign for Yes votes in referenda on family

By Cillian Sherlock, PA

The Labour Party has said it will support Yes votes in the upcoming referenda.

Two votes are to be held on March 8th to amend Ireland’s Constitution.

One will ask whether the definition of family should be based on “durable” relationships rather than on marriage (Article 41), and another will ask whether a reference to the role and duties of women in the home should be deleted and replaced with a new article on carers (Article 41.2 replaced with 42B).

Legislation to approve the referenda was debated in the Dáil last week and is continuing to be heard in the Seanad this week.

A number of opposition parties have raised concerns about the proposed wording of the questions, including the meaning of the word “durable”.

At a meeting of the Labour Party Executive Board on Wednesday, it was confirmed that the party will campaign for Yes votes.

While amendments to the wording of the referenda put down by the Labour Party were not accepted, it was agreed that the substantial changes to the Constitution are long overdue and worthy of support.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik expressed concerns over the wording and the decision of the Government not to adopt the wording proposed by the Oireachtas Committee on Gender Equality.

However, she said the Constitution must be updated to reflect the changes in Irish society.

Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats have also confirmed they will campaign for Yes votes.