The Irish largely rejected Friday, by referendum, a proposal to modify the Constitution relating to the family and the place of women. The first amendment expanding the concept of family to “lasting relationships” – including cohabiting couples and their children – was rejected by 68%.
The second amendment to remove the reference to women's "domestic duties" – to make all members of a family responsible for caring for each other – rejected by nearly 74% of voters. The result was announced at Dublin Castle with 1,114,620 people, or 73.9%, voting No and 393,053 voting Yes. It represents the highest ever No vote by percentage in an Irish referendum.