Opinion: Referenda recalling when right prevailed over might

In this run up to International Women’s Day I think we need to remind ourselves of the wonderful Irish women who have gone before us.

The list is as long as it is illustrious. Let’s salute Grainne Mhaol, Countess Markievicz, Rosie Hackett, Dr. Kathleen Lynn, Kathleen Clarke and Maud Gonne MacBride to name just a few.

Their courage was legendary, and no doubt will be evoked by many this week as they line up to heap praise on the fearless and strong Irish women who genuinely had the needs of our country at heart.

Many of those stepping up to eulogise and congratulate Irish women on the many strides we have taken will be the very same people who, just a short year ago, tried their best to have the word ‘woman’ removed from our cherished Irish Constitution.

The 8th of March is the first Anniversary of the resounding defeat of the Family and Care Referenda which, had it been passed would have not only stripped Irish women of their special inclusion in our Constitution but diluted the already scant rights of family carers even further.

It was as an audacious affront to Irish women as ever there was in this country.

Except for my party Aontú, coupled with a few brave and smart independent politicians and a scattering of genuinely curious and brave activists who alerted the voting public to the huge injustice posed by the Referenda, our Government and an acquiescent ‘opposition’ would have rammed this Referenda through.

The more I think about this the more sickened I am to think of what they could have got away with.

This was a David v Goliath campaign, Aontú took on the might of the entire establishment, along with just a few well informed and capable Independent TDs, Senators and lawyers on the ‘No’ side. On live debates, a few good men and women bravely faced down government ministers who were insulated by a compliant ‘opposition’ and the weight of many highly paid but unelected NGOs.

It was a staggering insult to democracy but right prevailed over might.

In the end we showed that principles, intelligent, critical thinking and genuine care for the electorate trumps puffed up, arrogant and patronising activists as well as weasel words of praise and recognition. Questions must now be asked of the NGO sector. Their allegiances should lie with those they are tasked to represent, instead of using public money on campaigns against the very people whose interests they are supposed to promote.

Carers, who are mainly women, feel that their work is largely invisible and undervalued and poverty levels among carers are higher due to the failure of the State to adequately value and support them. If the referendum had passed last year, carers would have less rights than before, it is truly shocking that the government sought to do that - how dare they!

Families were offered a ‘definition free’ constitutional amendment. The consequences of this amendment were impossible to predict”. With the term “durable relationships” not defined and the proposed exclusion of Mothers instead of the inclusion of others. Imagine a National Women’s Council pushing to delete ‘Mother’ from the Constitution. It defies logic and common sense. Looking back now, it all beggars belief but I am relieved that there were some who were awake!

Happy International Woman’s Day!