The countess vote no no campaign hub

Welcome to our referendum campaign page on the March 8th referendums on The Family and Care. We are campaigning for a No No vote. We have produced two easy-read information leaflets on the referendums, please read, download & share. We aim to give you clear, accessible understandable information so that you can make an informed decision on how to vote.

For eight weeks our Countess canvassers have been on the on the streets of towns, cities and villages the length and breath of Ireland speaking to people about our Vote No No campaign, in that time polls have shown a marked increase in those who say they will vote No No. Check out our YouTube videos below for more in-depth information from our Spokespeople. #VoteNoNo #VoteNoRef24

Please support our Vote No No campaign by donating to our GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/fnt8m-the-countess

articles

Cormac Ó Dúlacháin SC

The Countess is launching its VOTE NO referendum campaign

My reasons for advocating for a NO Vote against the 39th Amendment of the Constitution

resources

We have produced two easy-read information leaflets on the referendums, please read, download & share. #VoteNoRef24 #VoteNoNo

39th Amendment Leaflet

39th-Amendment-FAMILY-Leaflet Download

40th Amendment Leaflet

40th-Amendment-CARE-leaflet Download

Protect Women, Protect Mothers #VoteNoRef24 #VoteNoNo

#Votenono Laoise de brún bl speech

Countess Founder & CEO Laoise de Brún BL speaking at March for Vote NO. Women and children’s advocacy group The Countess along with mother and campaigner Rachel Ni Faoláin held a march and rally on Saturday, 3rd February, in Dublin city centre as part of their Vote No No Referendum campaign. Key speakers included Senator Sharon Keogan. CEO and founder of The Countess, Laoise de Brún BL, noted that by deleting article 41.2 we are moving away from any legal obligation upon the State to protect mothers from being forced out to work through economic necessity, The State shall endeavour to ensure is enforceable, the proposed new wording, the State shall strive, is aspirational only—it cannot be quantified or tested. #VoteNoRef24 #VoteNoNo

40th Amendment (care) Explainer Colin mangan

In this video, Countess spokesman Colin Mangan explains the 40th Amendment, called the “Care amendment”. We aim to give you clear, accessible understandable information so that you can make an informed decision on how to vote.

referendum explainer Sandra Adams

Sandra Adams speaks about the care amendment in the upcoming referendum. By locating the entire responsibility for care within the family/home and refusing to reference ‘supports in the community’ the Government is attempting to avoid all legally enforceable obligations to carers and the disabled. The Government is asking the electorate to trust that it will do the right thing by people with disabilities and carers while simultaneously refusing to ratify all protocols on the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (February 2024). It is unclear why disability rights and carer rights advocacy groups are supporting this amendment as it does not oblige the Government or State agencies to provide care to those who need it. We urge you to Vote No No on March 8th to protect the rights of disabled people and those who care for them.

Sorcha Nic Lochlainn

One of the most contentious aspects of Article 41.2 is the word “duties”, but did you know that there is a difference between the meaning in Irish and English? In this video our spokesperson Sorcha explains the word “dualgais”. She also mentions that the word “teaghlach” (to mean family) is used throughout the Irish version of Article 41 but this is changed to “home” in the English version of Article 41.2.

The Countess vote no no campaign on the radio

Our spokespeople have been featured on a wide range of radio stations such as Tipp FM, Galway Bay FM, Clare FM, FM104, KFM and C103 speaking about the referendum with more radio interviews planned.

c103 Cork Today

CEO and Founder of The Countess, Laoise de Brún BL, talks to Patricia Messinger about the importance of marriage and why “durable relationships” must not be added to the Constitution. She also outlines the importance of Article 41.2 to women and mothers and the totally inadequate wording in it’s proposed replacement Article 42B. Help us in our fight to protect our words and our rights. https://www.gofundme.com/f/fnt8m-the-countess

ocean fm

Countess spokeswoman, Sandra Adams, debates the proposed amendments to the Irish Constitution, in the upcoming referendums on March 8th – International Women’s Day. Along with Independent Senator Ronán Mullen she cogently outlines the many reasons why we should vote No-No on March 8th. Representing the yes campaign are Clare Duffy of Carers Ireland and Fine Gael MEP, Maria Walsh. #VoteNoNo #VoteNoRef24

Tipp fm

Sports Spokeswoman Sorcha talks to Fran Curry on Tipp FM’s Tipp Today show about the March 8th referendum on the removal of Article 41.2 and its replacement with new Article 42B. She outlines why we are campaigning for a No vote in order to retain the existing article that recognises and protects mothers, and why the new article fails to protect carers and disabled people equally. In a wide-ranging conversation, Sorcha refutes common arguments by the Yes side, and talks about the rushed process that has left voters feeling angry and under-informed.

galway bay fm

Our spokeswoman Sorcha speaks to Keith Finnegan on Galway Talks on Galway Bay FM outlining why we are asking people VOTE NO NO in the upcoming referendums. Sorcha explains that the deletion of Article 41.2 will erase the recognition of women and mothers from our Constitution and remove any obligation on the State to support parents who stay at home with their children. She also outlines why we are concerned about the unintended consequences of inserting “durable relationships” to the definition of a family. #votenono #VoteNoRef24

Clare Fm

Sports Spokeswoman Sorcha talks to Alan Morrissey on Morning Focus Clare FM about why people should Vote No No in the March 8th referendum. Sorcha outlines why it’s important to retain the existing article that recognises and protects women and mothers, and why the proposed article 42B fails to protect carers and disabled people equally.

kfm kildare

Countess founder & CEO Laoise de Brún BL talks to KFM’s Eoin Beatty on Kildare Today about why people should Vote No No in the March 8th referendum. Laoise explains why the rights of people with disabilities and carers will be undermined by the proposed amendments and that certainty on the meaning of ‘durable relationships’ is necessary to avoid unquantifiable chaos. Regarding the removal of references to women and mothers, Laoise says it is risible to dust off our Constitution and vandalise it in this way.

countess canvassing

We have canvassed extensively the length & breath of Ireland in areas such as Dublin city centre, Lexslip, Donaghmeade, Celbridge, Maynooth, Gort, Ennis, Galway City, Drogheda, Limerick, Artane, Athlone, Northside Shopping Centre, Clane, Ranelagh, Louisa Bridge Train Station, Cork City Centre and Ballincollig, Roscommon, Carrick-on-Shannon, Tuam, Loughrea, Coraleehan, Ballinamore, Dun Laoghaire, Glasthule and Monkstown with more locations planned. Below is a selection of videos from our canvassers.

The Countess Canvassers were in Swords. Countess Spokeswoman Sandra said many people they met wanted to discuss the meaning of “durable relationships” and expressed concern about the unintended consequences on inheritance and social welfare.

The Countess Canvassers were in Kinvarra this morning. Countess spokesperson Sorcha was speaking to people about the term “durable relationships” and what it may mean. #votenoref24 #votenono Help us in our fight to protect our words and our rights. https://www.gofundme.com/f/fnt8m-the-countess

The Countess Canvassers were in Artane, Countess Spokesperson Sandra Adams said they had an amazing morning and that 99% of the people they spoke to are voting No No!! #VoteNoRef24 #VoteNoNo

The Countess #VoteNoNo canvassing teams were in Athlone, Cork, and Dublin today. Colin was canvassing in Cork. All of The Countess canvassers said there is more awareness of the referendums and that the majority of people they spoke to are voting No No. #votenono #votenoref24

The Countess #VoteNoNo canvassing teams have been incredibly active. This week they have been in Maynooth, Gort, Galway City and Drogheda. There are women of all ages who agree with the #VoteNoNo campaign. They do not want women and mothers erased from the Constitution and they do not want poorly defined terms added in.