Referenda 'badly thought out, very poorly worded'
"People were scared," says Cllr Brendan Fay.
Independent County Councillor Brendan Fay believes the result of these referenda carry with it a strong message for the government.
“They were badly thought out, very poorly worded, they weren't asked for and with €16 million spent on this, surely that could have been put to better use, on housing, roads, or education.”
The Belturbet representative, and local publican, said he had heard plenty from people in recent years- farmers, carers and from families- who expressed deep concern and grave worry about what the proposed amendments would mean for them.
“One thing that people said to me is that the law is perceived by the person at the top table. People were scared. There was too much ambiguity, and the fallout from this, in the case of a 'yes' vote, would have been left to the judicial system.”
Cllr Fay said that an anti-Government sentiment seems to have played a major factor in the outcome on both counts.
“This sends out a very strong message people are fed up with not being listened to, especially in rural areas, the backbone of this country and many communities across it.”
Cllr Fay concludes by saying that it was poignant that the votes on both Family and Care occurred on International Women's Day and with Mother's Day just around the corner.
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