Clare voters are being urged not to be deterred from having their say in the Children’s Referendum, despite confusion over criticism of the government’s handling of their awareness campaign.
Tomorrow’s vote will go ahead, despite calls for a postponement after yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling that the government spent public money putting out one sided information.
Senior Ministers have said the issues surrounding child protection remain the same, and the referendum is required, and while Clare Fianna Fail TD Timmy Dooley is backing their calls for a Yes Vote, he’s annoyed at what he called an unfortunate distraction.
Speaking at an emergency Seanad debate last night, the Children’s Minister said the Government had acted in good faith when putting together the referendum material.
And Frances Fitzgerald said the Government’s information website on the Children’s referendum has now been changed in response to the ruling.
Public campaigning in the Children’s Referendum will come to an end at 2 o’clock this afternoon as a broadcast moratorium takes effect.
Here in Clare ballot boxes are being distributed to 173 polling stations in the Clare constituency – and a further seven in Parteen, Westbury and Corbally which are part of the Limerick City Constituency.
79, 905 people are legible to vote in the referendum in Clare tomorrow, while counting will take place at the Courthouse in Ennis on Sunday, in a move from the usual hotel venues in the town.
