Early tallies on the referendums on family and care are trending towards two No votes.

Polling stations across the country closed at 10pm on Friday, with reports of slow voting leading to growing anxiety within Government over the results.

There was speculation among some in Government circles that turnout would reach 40 per cent, with sources conceding that one or both of the referendums could fail on a very low turnout.

In the referendums, the Government proposes expanding the definition of family in the Constitution to recognise “durable relationships”, such as cohabiting couples and their children, and replacing the language around “women in the home” with language recognising care within families.

Looks like the Irish government’s attempt to remove the outdated
words “mother” and “woman” from the constitution has been utterly defeated. https://t.co/U9WzwB30FK

— Róisín Michaux (@RoisinMichaux) March 9, 2024