Vote YES for Care and YES for Family for a modern and inclusive Ireland – Fine Gael

With just days left until the historic referendums, Fine Gael is advocating for a double YES vote for Care and Family on Friday March 8th referendums. These referendums are catch-up aligning our Constitution with our more modern, inclusive society, acknowledging every form of family and the invaluable care they provide.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, alongside Fine Gael’s Director of Elections for the Referendums, Minister Heather Humphreys, have reiterated the critical importance of a double YES vote on Friday March 8th.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said:

“In the final days before polling day, we must remember our constitution isn’t just a legal document. It’s also a statement of our values, how we see ourselves and others.

“This is about the Ireland we envision for ourselves and future generations, and it must be an inclusive, caring society. 

“By voting YES for Family, we recognise diverse family structures—co-habiting couples, grandparents raising grandchildren, one parent families —as real families. It is a declaration that every person and every form of family deserves recognition. 

“By voting YES for Care, we say that family care is not just the work of women or mothers, it should be shared by fathers and sons and that the state should do more to support it.

“A double YES vote will keep Ireland on a pathway of liberalism, tolerance and modernity following on from the Yes votes for divorce, marriage equality and to repeal the 8th amendment. A No vote will be seized on as a victory by those who want to slow or stall our progress as a society. 

“It’s an important decision and I hope to see a good turnout on Friday.”

Minister Heather Humphreys, Director of Elections, said:

“On Friday, we have an opportunity to vote for a country in which every family counts, a society where our family carers are truly valued and a Constitution that reflects the Ireland of the present, not the past.

“A Yes vote in the Family Referendum is about supporting the families that all of us know – and who we all see and recognise as families – but currently our constitution does not.

“These are our lone parents, co-habiting couples, couples who are not married and grandparents who have guardianship of their grandchildren.

“And by voting Yes in the Care referendum, we will place a positive obligation on the State to do more for our Family Carers, as well as removing outdated language in our constitution in relation to women.

“As we enter this final week, I’m encouraging people to get out and vote Yes and Yes on Friday.

“By doing so, we are voting for an Ireland that cares, an Ireland that is inclusive, and an Ireland that is moving forward.”