Humphreys admits lack of groundwork ahead of failed family and care referenda

Fine Gael presidential hopeful Heather Humphreys says vague wording and lack of preparation contributed to the heavy defeat in both referenda

Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys, hangs a campaign poster. Picture: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

More groundwork should have been done ahead of the family and care referenda, Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys has said.

Ms Humphreys acknowledged the Government’s defeat in the referenda, saying she respected the "sovereign" decision of the public.

“When I look back now, I think perhaps there should have been more groundwork done. People didn’t understand what a durable relationship was,” Ms Humphreys said.

Ms Humphreys, who was Fine Gael’s director of elections for the failed referenda, admitted terminology due to be inserted into the Constitution, such as durable relationships, was "very vague."

“The term durable relationships was very vague and the idea of striving to support care, it wasn’t strong enough,” Ms Humphreys said, speaking on RTÉ Radio.

“People were in doubt about it, they weren’t sure. The old saying goes, if in doubt, leave it out and that’s what the people decided.”

The two referenda, held in March 2024, were decisively rejected by voters.

They proposed broadening the definition of family beyond marriage within the Constitution, including language on durable relationships.

The care referendum sought to amend constitutional language about women in the home and replace it with wording around care.

Ms Humphreys said the referenda emerged from a Citizens’ Assembly, which strongly recommended removing the “women in the home” clause and expanding recognition of relationships beyond marriage.

“The Government tried to bring forward a form of wording that would try to do that and, as I said, we probably didn’t put in enough work," she said.

“Maybe people didn’t understand, maybe we should have put in more groundwork. That’s the truth because it was confusing and people made their decision.

“I respect the decision of the people, that is democracy.” 

Ms Humphreys said the Government believed it had agreed on the best wording possible at the time.