The Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien has made an order setting Friday 8 March as polling day for two referendums on proposals to amend article 41 of the Constitution.

Polling will take place between the hours of 7am and 10pm. Around 3.3 million people are currently entitled to vote.

The first referendum will be on a proposed amendment to article 41.1 that will broaden the protection offered to the family to include families other than those based on marriage.

The second vote will be on a proposal to repeal article 41.2, which includes a reference to women ‘in the home’, and insert a new article 42B to provide recognition for care within families.

Registration process

The Government points out that the registration process has changed since the last referendum, and voters are being urged to check that their details are correct and up to date at checktheregister.ie.

Eligible voters who are not on the register, or who need to update their details, can submit an online application at the website, or can submit a form to their local authority.

Completed applications must be received by the registration authority for the relevant area by Tuesday 20 February.