Christian Solidarity Party urges ‘No’ vote in amendment campaign

The Christian Solidarity Party is urging a “no” vote in the upcoming referendums on recognising non-marital families and care in the home in the Constitution.

In referendums to take place on March 8th, 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.

However at a campaign launch on Thursday the Christian Solidarity Party said the proposed amendments “could undermine the societal and familial foundations of the nation”.

The party said its campaign would raise “serious concerns about the care Amendment, that proposes to replace specific recognitions of women’s roles in the home with a broader concept of care, thus shifting the onus from the State to Society”.

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The party said it saw this as a radical shift “that threatens to relieve the State of its responsibilities towards homemakers and women in vulnerable situations”.

These changes represent more than mere textual adjustments; they threaten to undermine the core values that our community cherishes

—  Cathal Ashbourne-Loftus

A significant part of the campaign is dedicated to addressing the proposed redefinition of the family unit in the Constitution. It takes issue with terms such as “durable relationship”, which it says “risks complicating legal interpretations, potentially affecting tax, inheritance, and immigration laws”.

“A particular concern is that this redefinition could lead to the acknowledgment of polygamous relationships under Irish law, posing significant challenges to the country’s immigration framework and societal norms”, the party said.

Cathal Ashbourne-Loftus, party secretary said: “These changes represent more than mere textual adjustments; they threaten to undermine the core values that our community cherishes.

“We advocate for the preservation of family values and the societal support structures they embody. We urge every citizen to critically assess these amendments and to support us in casting a ‘No’ vote.”

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