Sir – The picture that struck me profoundly from Saturday was the small, diverse crowd that gathered at Dublin Castle to hear the vote result on the care amendment. The presence of these people better reflected Ireland’s populace than the notable absence of numerous politicians, NGO staff and supporters who advocated for Yes. My earnest wish is that this event signifies a turning point in which we no longer fear agreeing with those we have many disagreements with. We must also reject the tendency of politicians to categorise people using terms like “far right” and demand they address tangible issues. The Irish public has reminded our political parties that we are capable of forming our own opinions. It’s high time they paid heed. – Yours, etc, E BOLGER, Dublin 9.
Sir – The Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, asserted that it was the Government’s obligation to persuade the majority to vote Yes. I am curious whether they managed to convince themselves? – Yours, etc, AIDAN RODDY, Cabinteely, Dublin 18.
Sir – The referendum result poses a larger question concerning the state of democracy in Ireland. Evidently, a minimum of 85 per cent of our TDs pushed for a Yes/Yes vote, yet only 32 per cent and 26 per cent of the population backed them. The suggestion for such constitutional alterations first came from the citizens’ assembly. But to portray them as reflective of public sentiment, as many politicians and journalists argue, is severely inaccurate and statistically unsound. Legitimate surveys engage with samples of more than 900 carefully chosen participants. It seems appropriate to dismantle the citizens’ assembly and require our elected representatives in Leinster House to more accurately represent their constituents. – Yours, etc, EOIN Ó DÚNLAING, Knocklyon, Dublin 16.
Sir – Could this be the day the Irish populace became fully conscious? – Yours, etc, PATRICK McPHILLIPS, Newcastle, Co Down.
Sir – The sole solace the Government parties can derive from this fiasco is their success in deceiving almost all opposition parties into supporting their regrettable amendments. – Yours, etc, PAUL WALSH.
There is a concerning belief that if the current Government fails to adjust its approach towards housing, health and immigration to align with the desires of the average citizen, it might potentially pave the way for extremist groups from both the political left and right. It’s high time the higher echelons of the government focus less on the lobbyists and concentrate more on the concerns of ordinary individuals – Mr Gerry Shaughnessy from Moylough, Co Galway.
Interestingly, recent events have signalled a stern warning to both the Government and NGOs who are now frantically searching for the instigator. However, the kick seems to have come from an unlikely source – women. Women are emerging as a powerful group that can’t be neglected – as Ms Geraldine Halpin from Dublin 7 points out.
According to Mr Dave Slater from Kilkea, Co Kildare, the outcomes of recent referendums should be clear enough that no columnist should resort to labelling the public as ‘far right’ in case they do not abide by a popular narrative.
In the light of political scores, Eamon de Valera leads Micheál Martin with a 2-0, says Mr Loughlin Gannon from Foulksmills, Co Wexford.
Finally, the defeat of certain proposals demonstrates how disconnected the governing parties are with average citizens. The large-scale rejection of the care referendum, the government’s neglect of the public’s valid concerns about eradicating maternal references from the Constitution and failure in defining a ‘durable’ relationship, shows a serious lack of synchrony with the public. It’s ironic that a removal of a mother’s mention from the Constitution was suggested on International Women’s Day, a choice met with significant opposition.
Acknowledgement should be afforded to Aontú, the solitary political party advocating for a negative vote. This campaign was supported by a subset of other politicians and individuals with disabilities who engaged with the common public of Ireland. It’s hoped that, having swallowed a healthy dose of modesty, the government will genuinely appreciate the motives behind the negative vote judgments. -Regards,
EAMONN O’HARA,
Manorcunningham,
Co Donegal.
Dear Sir, – It’s indeed a triumph for democracy when despite all primary political factions encouraging a positive vote, the public has overwhelmingly rejected both Constitutional modifications. The public has voiced out. They voted negatively for numerous reasons, not because, as hinted by some political figures, they failed to grasp the issue. – Yours faithfully,
ANNE MASSEY,
Dublin 14.
Dear Sir, – The misunderstanding lay with the Government, not with the citizens. It didn’t merely misinform, it wrongly phrased. Desist from repeating such actions with the electorate. Bid farewell to your overambitious efforts to rephrase legislative texts.
Instead of aspiring, just enact laws to elevate support for caregivers and those in need. Is it too much to demand? – Yours sincerely,
PÁDRAIC HARVEY,
An Cheathrú Rua,
Co na Gaillimhe.
Dear Sir, – Labour leader Ivana Bacik’s observation of the initial tally leaning towards a double negative result, stated that the Government had run a bland campaign.
I politely disagree. The Government pressurising NGOs to justify themselves for advocating a negative vote and scheduling the vote on International Women’s Day, indicates a government desperately attempting to reach its goal. Luckily, our citizens weren’t misled. There may still be hope for our nation. – Regards,
PETER DECLAN O’HALLORAN,
Belturbet,
Co Cavan.
Gentlemen, – Revelations of satisfaction from diverse political party members, operating across the entire spectrum, willing to accept the referendum results, offer a delight. However, despite my ignorance, it seems these individuals had no contrary course of action. – Yours faithfully,
EAMON FARRELL,
Dublin 4.
Gentlemen, – I find it irksome when individuals manipulate my No votes to fit their personal agendas. Since the onset, my decisions have been guided by the belief that these changes were unjustified and imprudent. – Yours faithfully,
SHEILA DEEGAN,
Dublin 3.
Gentlemen, – I conjecture that a vast majority who voted No in the double referendums, myself inclusive, perceived potential defeat or at most a slim victory.
It’s quite astounding that the referendums, unanimously backed aside from Aontú, suffered such substantial defeat.
The unheard majority made their voices heard in resounding fashion. Despite repeated assertions of the king’s ornate attire, they discerned his bare state as clearly as his day of birth. – Yours faithfully,
TOMMY RODDY,
Ballybane,
Co Galway.
Dear friend, – Jennifer Bray enlightens us that the Government’s campaign for the referendum heavily relied on support from the National Women’s Council (“Five reasons why the Yes side failed and the No campaign won the day”, Analysis, March 10th).
For my part, the support extended by multiple NGOs was crucial for the No campaign. A number of these NGOs and the ideological legislation that the Government funds for promotion are largely scorned by numerous Irish voters. The leading political parties must grasp this message or risk permanent ignorance. – Yours faithfully,
REAMONN O’LUAN,
Dublin 14.
Gentlemen, – Observing politicians and experts flail in their attempts to concoct self-justifying explanations for the severe referendum losses is bewildering. The clear message from the populace was a severe retort to a government infamous for ineptitude, to retreat en masse to the realm of their lavish pensions. – Yours faithfully,
JIM O’SULLIVAN,
Rathedmond,
Sligo.
According to the prime minister, the failed referendums can be attributed to a misinterpretation of the public sentiment by the government. The failure instead lies in the government’s underestimation of the electorate’s intelligence and practical sense. Certain parties and NGOs such as Sinn Féin, Labour, and the National Women’s Council, are hypocritically blaming the government for the failure, despite having urged approval of the referendums themselves. They did this despite the completely unsuitable phrasing. – Best regards, VA Alexander, Dublin 2.
All the political parties are debating the reasons for the rejection of the two referendums. Could the simple explanation be that the population did not want to alter the constitution, leading them to vote against it? – Best regards, Gail Hanbidge, Coolkenno, Co Wicklow.
Is the present government still maintaining a lasting connection with the Irish people? – Best regards, Finnian E Mathews, Skerries, Co Dublin.
Most politicians asked for affirmative votes, but now some are stating they were unsatisfied with the phrasing—does this sound like vote-winning politics to anyone else? – Best regards, Avril Hedderman, Stillorgan, Co Dublin.
It is particularly annoying listening to spokespeople from Sinn Féin, Labour and the Social Democrats argue that the government “messed up” concerning the referendums. All of these parties were in favor of the referendums, and thus also “messed up.” Could they kindly refrain from pointless talk and confess that they totally misinterpreted the situation? – Best regards, Brendan O’Reilly, Portlaoise, Co Laois.