Sinn Féin would rerun family and care referendum, Mary Lou McDonald says

Party president said Government's wording was an 'opportunity missed' and Sinn Féin in government would use the Citizens Assembly's suggested wording

Sinn Féin president Mary Lou McDonald said the party had thought long and hard about joining the Government parties in advocating for a double yes vote, urging the public to 'not let the perfect be the enemy of the good'. Picture: Leon Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Sinn Féin in government would rerun the family and care referendums with the Citizens Assembly's suggested wording, should the March 8 votes fail, according to leader Mary Lou McDonald.

She was speaking as Sinn Féin launched its campaign for yes votes in both referendums, in which she strongly criticised the Government's wording of both questions, which she called an "opportunity missed". 

The Dublin Central TD said she as Taoiseach would look to run the referendums again should they fail and it would be "her ambition" that such a repeat of the referendums would happen early in the party's term in government if elected.

The Citizens’ Assembly recommendation originally proposed deleting the so-called clause on women in the home and inserting a clause which said the State would “take reasonable measures to support care within the home and wider community”.

Instead, the vote will focus on wording that says the State will "strive to support" care work.

Ms McDonald said the party had thought long and hard about joining the Government parties in advocating for a double yes vote, urging the public to "not let the perfect be the enemy of the good". 

She said the Government "has an opportunity" to show its commitment to carers and families by putting resources into areas like respite services and additional capacity in the care sector.

"We, of course, support bringing our Constitution of today's to reflect the values of a modern Ireland and our islands with each other when this body was cherished and supported. But this referendum needs to be about much more than that. 

We believe that this referendum has to be a catalyst and a driver for meaningful change and concrete measures that will make real differences in the lives of families, people with disabilities, and their carers.

"Here's the challenge now for Government. They set the test for themselves to strive to recognise and vindicate caring and carers so let's see some evidence of the plenty of time between now and people going to the polls. That is actually seeing them step up their efforts in the area of respite as an example."

Asked about her party's sluggish polling, Ms McDonald said she saw winning back support as a "challenge" which she relished.

"Whatever support we have lost, we have to work to win it back again, in a way it’s not rocket science, it’s about engaging with people, listening to people, setting out our platform.”