Next Friday I will be voting Yes and Yes for a number of reasons.

Firstly, as the father of 2 daughters I want a more equal future for them. While the constitution does not expressly say that a women’s place is in the home, the current wording has meant that for many years the Irish State did things that meant that it felt for very many women that even if it did not say that in so many words, it meant it. I think it is time to change that. As a hospital pharmacist, over many years, I have worked with a wide variety of women, many of whom were extremely capable, and to think that anyone thought they were neglecting their duties in the home (as the constitution reads) is a bit strange. My mother had to fight for a pension entitlement, and, if I am not mistaken, was left with a “B” variant of my father’s PPS number for a number of years.

We have very many people in great relationships that are enduring and that are not marriages. In a modern Ireland, I think we need to recognise these, and not discriminate against them.

In addition to that, while I see a number of organisations and people who I respect, and who’s opinion I value suggesting a “No” to one or other of the referenda, I see a large number of people who I agree with with voting Yes and Yes. I particularly believe and trust in Ministers Roderic O’Gorman and Catherine Martin. I think they have both worked very hard in two of the more challenging government portfolios.

I also particularly disagree, on many levels, with some of those advocating No and No, in particular, former Minister for Justice Michael McDowell (architect of the appalling 2004 citizenship referendum) and various other members of the respectable and radical far right in Ireland.

You can make up your own mind by reading what the referendum commission have to say here: https://www.electoralcommission.ie/referendums/referendum-information/

I have also shamelessly taken the picture above this article from the website of the National Women’s Council: https://www.nwci.ie