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Government begins last push for 'Yes' vote ahead of divorce referendum

The Government is making one last push for a 'Yes' vote in Friday's divorce referendum. Politicia...
Newstalk
Newstalk

14.48 21 May 2019


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Government begins last push fo...

Government begins last push for 'Yes' vote ahead of divorce referendum

Newstalk
Newstalk

14.48 21 May 2019


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The Government is making one last push for a 'Yes' vote in Friday's divorce referendum.

Politicians are canvassing across the country with just three days to go until the local and European elections.

Despite the Dáil sitting this week, Leinster House is quiet as politicians focus their attentions on people's votes.

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Most are out canvassing or leaflet dropping ahead of Friday's elections.

Ahead of this morning's Cabinet meeting, Fine Gael ministers canvassed in Dublin on the divorce referendum.

The campaign has been low key, with few groups actively campaigning for either a Yes or No vote.

However, Minister Josepha Madigan doesn't think that means it will be a No vote

She said: "I do think people are aware of the issues.

"I think the approach we've taken is reasonable - there's cross-party support for it, and many of the NGOs support it which is important. I think people will come out and vote."

Her cabinet colleague Charlie Flanagan hopes people will educate themselves in the coming days.

He suggested: "In the last few days, people are now beginning to tune into the issues at stake on Friday.

"We're urging everybody to become involved."

The divorce referendum has largely flown below the radar, leaving Government sources fearful that a low turnout and a lack of engagement could lead to it being defeated.

Referendum proposal

This week's referendum will put only one question to the voters, but encompasses two parts.

The first part relates to the length of time couples must have been living apart for before applying for a divorce.

Currently, they have to live apart for four out of the previous five years.

The proposed change would instead allow the Oireachtas to legislate about the issue - with the Government proposing reducing the waiting time from four to two years.

A second proposed change relates to foreign divorces.

At the moment, a person who has obtained a foreign divorce abroad which is not recognised in the State cannot remarry.

If the referendum passes, that would be replaced with a provision explicitly stating that the Oireachtas can legislate to recognise foreign divorces.

Main image: Ministers canvassing in Dublin this morning, picture by Kacey O'Riordan
Reporting by Sean Defoe and Stephen McNeice

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