Childrens' Referendum Set to Be Passed Amid Low Turnout

Irish Times
November 11, 2012

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/1111/breaking1.html

Votes in the children's referendum are counted at the Show Centre, in Swords, Co Dublin. Photo by Eric Luke

The children's right referendum has been passed by a margin of 57.4 per cent to 42.6 per cent.

The proposed constitutional amendment looks at a number of areas of children’s rights including adoption, protection, State intervention in neglect cases and giving children a say in their own protection proceedings.

Scroll down for interactive map of results by constituency below, detailed table of constituency results, live blog coverage, and comments.

More than 3.1 million people were eligible to vote, but the low-key campaign  failed to capture the public imagination. The turnout was just 33.5 per cent.

Despite the low turnout, Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald said it was a “historic day” for children’s rights in Ireland. Three of the 43 constituencies in the State voted No: Donegal North East, Donegal South West and Dublin North West.

Total votes:  1,066, 239 Invalid:  4,645 Valid:  1,061,594 Yes votes:  615,731 (57.4%) No votes:  445,863 (42.6%) Turnout:  33.5%