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VOTING IN THE Children’s Referendum begins this morning, with voters giving their say on whether they do or don’t want the proposed changes to the constitution enacted.
The proposed amendment would insert article 42.A into the Constitution.
There are 3.1 million people in Ireland who are registered to vote. Before you cast your vote, you might have a few questions:
Am I registered to vote?
To check the register, visit ChecktheRegister.ie. If you are not registered, why not register yourself in time for the next election?
According to Citizen’s Information:
If you are qualified to vote but have missed the deadline to include your name on the register, you can apply to be included in a Supplement to the Register, which will allow you to vote at any election or referendum held during the year. You can apply for inclusion on the Supplemental Register at least 15 days before polling day (Sundays, public holidays and Good Friday are not counted as days for this purpose).
If you are unsure whether you have the right to vote, the Citizens Information website has lots of information on who exactly can vote in Ireland. For starters, you must be at least 18 years of age on 15 February of this year, which is the date the register came into force. Irish citizens may vote at every election and referendum, but other citizens can vote on specific elections and referenda.
Where do I vote?
You can vote at your local polling station – its address will be on your polling card. If you don’t have a polling card, and are registered to vote, look up your details on ChecktheRegister.ie – it will tell you what polling station to go to, and what your entitlement to vote is.
Voting began on Ireland’s islands on Thursday, with up to 2,000 people voting.
What should I bring with me?
Official photo identification and your polling card, if you have the latter. It is sent to people’s homes but some people may not have received one, if they have moved house and not updated their address for example.
Photo ID includes:
It’s also acceptable to show a cheque book, a cheque card, a credit card, a birth certificate or a marriage certificate, as long as it is accompanied by another document which confirms your address in the constituency.
But I didn’t receive a polling card. Can I still vote?
It depends. If you’re an Irish citizen, aged at least 18 and living in Ireland then you are entitled to vote, but you have to be on the electoral register. You can check whether you are or not on the aforementioned checktheregister.ie.
If for some reason you didn’t receive a polling card, don’t worry. You’ll still be allowed to vote as long as your name is on the register and you bring along identification.
Do I really need ID?
Yes. It isn’t enough to bring your polling card with you. Bring valid photo ID such as a passport or Garda ID – see above for more information on types of ID that will be accepted. You will be asked for this when you give your name at the polls, so that your name can be looked for on the register or supplement to the register.
How do I vote?
The ballot paper should be punched before it is given to you. Clearly mark an X in the box next to ‘Yes’ OR ‘No’. Don’t write anything on the paper, or it will spoil the vote.
Voters with disabilities
The government says there are a variety of special arrangements in place to assist those with certain disabilities to exercise their right to vote.
These include:
Here is the information leaflet – Information for People with Disabilities (pdf, 124kb) and more information on the Citizens Information website, including information on companion voting and assistance with voting.
What time do the polls open and close at?
The polling stations open today, Saturday 10 November 2012, from 9am to 10pm.
When will the votes be counted?
Vote counting will begin on Sunday morning at 9am at various count centres around the country. TheJournal.ie will cover the counting on the day.
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I’m not going to shove my view down everyones neck but make sure which ever way you vote that you are familiar with what it means on your own assessment of the literature not others interpretation as I have seen false claims on both sides which are grossly false.
well said
I’m afraid out of fear I’ll be voting No, as much as I’m sorry for all those poor children in care, I fear more what the state may do in the future with their power and how it would affect my children.
Read this Joanna before you vote http://www.yesforchildren.ie/campaignnews/inthenews/2012/11/09/dispelling-the-10-myths-surrounding-the-amendment/
Irene – State funded cheerleaders are not impartial and they have had enough time and lots and lots and lots of money to put their case forward. The campaign is over. So leave it out and show some respect Joanna’s decision whether that is a yes or a no.
Kevin, the campaign is not over until the polling stations have closed tonight. So with respect if Joanna feels that she is voting from fear it is perfectly acceptable for somebody to say to her that there may be a way to dispel those fears. She may still vote NO but she can do it from a conviction point of view as opposed to a fear which is a far better reason to vote.
Obviously given your “state funded cheerleaders” comment you are voting NO as well. I wonder would you be so accepting of Joanna’s decision if she said she was voting YES.
Jim – Joanna has stated that she voting out of fear. In a yes or no postion that’s perfectly acceptable. Others have said they are voting yes and I did not challeng them. I respect their decisions. The Campaign is over and both sides need to respect that.
Its not over just because you say its over. Its over when no more votes can be cast. And I sorry to say this but I have very little respect for anybody who thinks fear is a valid way to get somebody to cast a vote.
Jim – Signs of desperation coming through from the yes side via last minute pleas for conversions. The smug arrogance is gone. It is traditional to campaign up to the day before the vote. Fear is a very valid reason to vote yes or no. The X case referendum proved that. The Government said vote yes to make abortion illegal and it actually made it legal. Sometimes Governments get things very wrong. Respect peoples valid concerns.
If we ratify this amendment, we’ll become more like the UK where forced adoptions are becoming more and more common:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/columnists/christopherbooker/8148987/Forced-adoption-another-win-for-the-child-snatchers.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/comment/personal-view/3619388/How-social-services-can-seize-our-children.html
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/7840835/Mother-whose-children-were-taken-for-adoption-joins-class-action.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/debate/article-2128987/Children-stolen-state.html
any one know how many people taken off the dole today to staff the pooling stations. or collage students not on grants. bet it will be the same old faces.
John just come back myself a) same lady there as last time . B) no Garda on duty again either ? .
Just voted and it’s the same clique… several teachers working there. I did apply for a position but sure you know yourselves ;)
So complain to your local representative. Posting here will do nothing.
I posted a comment regarding my observation and thoughts on an issue. That’s the point of forums like this. Yes I already did complain to local TD etc as you well know ( we exchanged comments on here last week). Tomy is a little sensitive about anyone criticising teachers.. he’s one himself .
No Sean, I’m not a teacher. I’m qualified to teach yes but I’m unemployed so really you can try to subvert any point I make whatever way you like.
I would love a bit of that work but then if you were to walk in the door you’d just see a “privileged” teacher not an unemployed person getting some work.
My point was not specifically at you Sean, you’re not the only person here who made the point – You’re not the warm centre of Ireland despite your best efforts.
I wouldn’t even have replied if people said the above but included that they emailed off to ask about this situation so that they could get that work next time around or so that they could get some kind of reply from their local representation.
Now, don’t bother searching for spelling mistakes or misused “you’re” or “your” – I know it’s the only point you’d have left so just don’t bother.
actually Tomy despite what you may think of me I not one of those pedantic users on here who goes through every post looking for speaking or grammar mistakes. I make plenty of those myself no doubt.
and speaking should be spelling. I am blaming predictive text on phone for that one.
just back only one station this time some old faces and im not sure about.am sure there was lotsn out there who wood have ben pleased with the few bob for Christmas
I would love to hear the opinions and experiences from foster care parents and parents who have adopted and from the children themselves on their views about this referendum. They are the ones who can tell us about the failures or success of the current system.
My wife and i are foster parents.The child that is with us is happy in our home but has no wish to be adopted.He still has his parents he just knows he can’t live with them.
Norman, firstly, fair play to you and your wife. That’s great! I’m curious though (not knowing much about it) is the child in full contact with his parents at the moment, ie can he visit them every so often? Also, is it the intention that he will ultimately live with them once they’ve sorted out whatever the issue is?
This is the opinion from someone who was in foster care nhttp://www.thejournal.ie/readme/column-for-foster-children-like-me-the-childrens-referendum-is-a-new-chance-645576-Oct2012/
Creamy answer to both ?’s yes and no respectively.
@Irene not all children in foster care want to be adopted and not all foster carers want to adopt wether this referendum passes or not won’t change this.
Good man Norman. It seems that the system is working in your case.
Do you think we need to change the constution, or do a better job of using what we have?
Genuine question.
Little jim i want to be honest the system needs to change,but i don’t feel the wording of this change is. In my opinion it is to open to interpition and vague.
I’d like to hear that too Ailish. But…. not from one or two – from all. Foster families are not experts just because they are foster parents.
I’d love to hear the views also of the children of foster parents to get a view of what a full family feels. When we were a foster family during my teens it was a massively positive experience, but I have to say, that is seeing it on the whole – there were some tough times too.
Thanks Norman, as Ailish said it’s those involved in this system who should have a greater say in where we go from here.
No matter if your a yes or a no , just get out and vote
Unless you see this as a chance to vent anger at the government over unrelated issues. In that case, stay at home and take deep breaths instead.
Turnout will be key to making weekend voting the norm in the future. Regardless of your view I encourage everyone to come out and vote today!
@David hate to say this but i get the feeling that is a veiled theart to the voting public.
“threat”even.
A threat? I think you’re reading way too much into it. If it makes a turnout difference to have it on a Saturday, it’s a much stronger argument to do it again.
@Nick i’m not reading anything into it.Eamon Gilmore made the same comment during the week.Saturday voting makes more sense for the following reasons,
Children won’t miss school.
Students who live away from home during the week will be home.
Last most of the working public is off the weekend.
Now if the government want more of us to vote at least try and make it easier.In my opinion weekend voting would do this.
Oh, I agree with Saturday voting. But unless there’s an increased turnout for all those reasons, it’s harder to justify it.
I’ll be voting NO don’t trust the government with anything especially what’s in the best interest of our children, are they doing the best for the citizens of this country as it is” I think not… Imagine they can’t even get the wording correct on the referendum on their website they have made a total pigs ear of this….. No faith in this whatsoever
Then I presume you would never dream of sending your child to a State school as they would have no idea what’s in the best interests of your children either.
I’m not an Irish citizen, but I’ve lived and worked here for over 5 years with my Irish wife and my child is about to be born here. Mabe I should stop paying my taxes! only representation I’d be likely to get would be in court.
Why don’t you apply for citizenship?
If you’re already an EU citizen, European law states that an EU citizen can apply for citizenship in another member state after 4 years of residing there. That is unless they changed it recently.
You can’t vote here, David, for the same reason I can’t vote in your country. What’s the problem?
After five years you’re entitled to apply for citizenship. If you want to vote in all elections and referendums, then do that. Out of curiosity, do you vote in the elections you’re entitled to vote in? Every Irish resident, regardless of nationality, is entitled to vote in some form of election. And keep paying your taxes too. Would I be right in assuming that no one forced you onto to plane to Ireland with a gun?
Actually, David, a correction. You could have applied for citizenship after three years here considering the fact that your wife is Irish.
Regardless of your citizenship status – what’s your point!?
It costs approx ?1,000 for citizenship
I’m still struggling with yes or no. How many children who are currently fostered want to be adopted? What is the benefit FOR THEM to being adopted. ? They are in a safe warm family environment as it is .. Why change that ?
It costs the government millions to pay for foster care for children, if most were adopted the government save a fortune . I’d like to think it wasn’t that simple but this government is all about saving and don’t think they don’t see this as such.
this referendum deals with more than just foster children. so don’t just consider that aspect
I understand that but it is a major factor . Can we trust the state with more responsibility? Can we trust the state to put children’s rights before everything? History would suggest not, a change in constitution won’t change that fact.
But again, I would hope that a change in the constitution would be used against the government at appropriate times to vindicate children’s rights. Human rights barristers would certainly attempt to rely on it in court.
The argument from history is not an valid argument. Yes, the State has failed terribly in the past and there will probably be instances in the future where the State will fail even if this amendment is passed because no system is perfect. But this is almost the equivalent of saying that because people have gotten away with a certain crime in the past is there any point in having laws that outlaw it.
At the very least we are as a state showing signs of progress over the last few years. We now have a Children’s Ombudsman and a full cabinet ministry dedicated to Children and Youth Affairs. People may argue about the effectiveness of these posts but at least its an acknowledgement that there is a need to defend and protect children. This amendment strengthens that progress in that it says in the basic document that governs us that children are a voice that need to be heard when considering their future.
It’s not a basic document though Jim and the proposed working is vague and open to interpretation.
Celtic Lady we are not being told how many children currently fostered want to be adopted. We do know there are around 6000 children in foster care. Nearly a third of them are of married parents and so cannot be adopted even if they wanted to. Of the other 4000 only 12 were adopted last year. We are not told the impediments to their adoption; it certainly isn’t the constitution. The government would like you to believe that all 2000 children of married parents are somehow a special case and suitable for adoption but many are just in care until their families can better their situations and many are happy in long term foster care with foster parents who have no intention of adopting them. What would be the advantage for them being adopted by these foster parents? Well I suppose things come up periodically which need the signature of the birth parent and so social workers need to get involved. They also are obliged if at all possible to keep in contact with their birth parents while in foster care and wouldn’t have to do this if adopted.
I’m voting NO today as it’s our constitution and I think the onus is on those who wish to change the constitution to prove that the constitution has consistently let the children of Ireland down and must be changed to protect future generations. I havn’t heard that proof even though i have looked for it. Over and over again it’s people who have let the children down not the constitution.
sorry proposed ‘wording’
Anne, practically everything in the constitution is vague and open to interpretation. It’s designed to be that way. The constitution is not a document for putting in strict rules. Its a set of guidelines that set up the parameters for the laws we subsequently enact. That’s why we have subordinate laws and the Supreme Court to help us interpret the meaning of it.
Nothing in this referendum will make things any better for children.As the government and some judges have already conceded there are sufficient laws to protect them,so one has to wonder what is at hand here.Can’t help feeling this is a purely financial decision and part of their future penny pinching fiscal plan.they are cynically tugging at heart strings by saying”but it’s for the children”.as the old saying goes,”if it’s not broke don’t fix it”.Say No and let them come back with something more open and transparent.giving power to a government appointed anonymous person in a secret court is a dodgy road to go down.
The Voting on the Referendum is being held today. The Supreme Court has ruled that aspects of the information circulated by the Government were unfair and did not offer the appropriate balance required by the McKenna Judgement. It is amazing and bewildering that given such a ruling by our Supreme Court on such a critical issue, the Referendum Commission has ruled, according to Radio Telefis Eireann, that any public discussion of the Supreme Court decision on radio would be in breach of the embargo.
Does what the Referendum Commission say now have the effect of silencing our Supreme Court?
Obviously, the referendum commission like any government appointed body i.e. the attorney general or the financial regulator were never impartial this has been proven time and time again..
The Supreme Court ruling was issued on Thursday, the decission was debated over and over on Thursday and Friday up to the time that the moretorium came into effect.
The moretorium exists to give people a breathing space in which to make a decision.
The referendum commission is indeed independent. The comission is headed by a high court judge appointed by the President of the High Court, nothing to do with the government.
Very sad that people are voting no out of either fear or to get back at the Government. We may not have the chance any time soon to make such a difference for our children. Really sad. The reason that these amendments have been brought forward is because of successive Irish reports and investigations, and yes also UNESCO recommendations, that have pointed out that some of the wording in our Constitution has prevented us taking steps to protect children who are living in very abusive situations. These amendments also make the Government obliged to take action to support families at an earlier stage. They also enshrine the right of children and young people in their own right, not just mediated through their family, to the rights in the UN Declaration (and who could argue with those rights except the most right-wing religious conservative – oh wait!), including the right to have their voice heard in court cases on matters affecting them (in a majority of cases this has NOT happened). What kind of country are we that we wish to deny protection and rights to children because of vague fears that future governments will take our children into care because they are not vaccinated? How ridiculous. My son is not vaccinated and I think it is ridiculous to fear that he would be taken away from me and put into care for that – people, think about it!
And why slag off the very many groups who have been working for years to support families so children can stay in those families, and to support children? Look at the support these amendments have – if you have some small fears about the wording, think about all the people who have an intimate and close working knowledge of current systems and the pain and trauma involved, and ask yourself might the joint voice of so many of them not say something to you??? And just because wording about safety of children could possibly, maybe sometime in a crazy future be mis-used, is that any reason not to have that wording in our Constitution? By that criterion, any wording about child welfare would be impossible. People, bear in mind also that we are just catching up with the rest of the world here… and don’t worry, we can still be assured that even with these amendments we will still be behind most enlightened modern countries in the rights and respect we give to our children and young adults – some things never change – a comfort to the wary conservative voter perhaps?
Please try to understand that these amendments are not giving more rights to the Government – they are giving more protection and more rights to children who suffer extreme abuse and neglect. Do not let them down.
Absolute rubbish Aishling.
I think it is most important to study the proposed change and decide for yourself rather than what the government or others want you to vote.
For me the most important part is where a child (or children) of married parents can be adopted (42A.3).
But overall the amendment can only be for the common good.
There is a lot of scaremongering nonsense from certain quarters about this.
That was supposed to reply to Aisling’s comment above.
Ridiculous argument no comparison, we are changing the constitution here taking more power away from the people again…
My point was this ‘impartial’ commission did and said nothing about the people who fund them running a separate (mis) information campaign,illegally using taxpayers money to do so.They are usually very quick to correct any misinformation from the no side
In reply to Noel O’D, the referendum commission is made up of the following.
Member or former member of the high court(appointed by president on advice of government)
Clerk of Dail Eireann(appointed by Taoiseach)
Clerk of Seannad Eireann (appointed by Taoiseach)
Ombudsman (appointed by Prisident via House of Oireachtas)
The Controller and Auditor General (Government proposal appointed by Oireachtas)
If these people are so impartial why have successive government felt the need to employ their own.
It seems a uniquely Irish thing to completely trust their elected representatives,but this trust has been abused far to often for it to be coincidental .Nice in theory but far from reality.Quangos played a large part in destroying this country,the supreme court decision proved this commission is just another one
Am ya might want to do a bit of research for yourself there Aisling.The Supreme Court decision was not about the referendum commission!!!Absolutely nothing got to do with it!!You like so many others seem ignorant to this.Hope the other voters are more informed than yourself.It was about the information in pamphlets distributed by the governemnt.And the referendum commission is independent whether you like wish it is not
have your say