Family amendment defeated in Cavan-Monaghan
Estimated turnout 44.5% (circa 48,100).
The 39th Amendment to the Constitution, dealing with Article 41.1.1°and Article 41.3.1° of the Constitution, both of which relate to the Family, has been defeated by an estimated majority of around 79%.
Tallies are that around 10,500 voted 'yes' to change the constitution, and 37,600 cast a 'no' vote on Friday.
The estimated turnout in the Cavan-Monaghan constituency is 44.5% (circa 48,100).
In Article 41.1.1° “The State recognises the Family as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.”
In Article 41.3.1° “The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack.”
The Constitution currently recognises the centrality of the family unit in society and protects the Family founded on marriage.
The Proposal involves the insertion of additional text to Article 41.1.1° and the deletion of text in Article 41.3.1°. These proposed changes are shown below:
Proposed to change Article 41.1.1° text in bold:
Article 41.1.1° “The State recognises the Family, whether founded on marriage or on other durable relationships, as the natural primary and fundamental unit group of Society, and as a moral institution possessing inalienable and imprescriptible rights, antecedent and superior to all positive law.”
Proposed to change Article 41.3.1° by deleting:
“The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of Marriage, on which the Family is founded, and to protect it against attack.”