Wednesday’s Top Stories: Civil society groups to ‘consider’ approach to referendums, Ireland’s corporate tax receipts defy global slowdown

Civil society groups to ‘consider’ approach to referendums over wording on care

Key civil society groups will consider their approach to two referendums on family and care after a lukewarm reception to the wording for a new constitutional article on the role of carers.

The decision to hold the referendums was welcomed by non-governmental organisations (NGOs) yesterday, who are expected to campaign for a Yes vote and applauded moves to delete references to a woman’s role in the home.

However, proposals to reform the constitutional treatment of care fell short of campaigners’ expectations, even as Ministers said the proposed approach would remove language that is “not truly reflective” of today’s Ireland, excludes families not based on marriage, and was “archaic and sexist”.

News from around the World

Israel storms Gazan city in ‘most intense day’ of fighting as more than 16,000 killed to date: With fierce fighting raging across Gaza, the Israeli military announced on Tuesday that it was now “in the heart” of Khan Yunis, the Hamas stronghold in the south. Israel also said its military was in Jabalya and the Gaza city neighbourhood of Sejaiya in the north.

The Big Read

Donald Clarke and Tara Brady compile the 50 best films of 2023, including Marcel the Shell with Shoes On (pictured)

The 50 best films of 2023: 50 to 31: Here ends one of the most confusing years in cinema history. A combined writers’ and actors’ strike kept the business shut during late summer and autumn. The issues disputed will come back again. A particular pink film broke the record for highest grossing at the Irish box office. Another movie released on the same day suggested that intelligent historical dramas could make more money than the most button-pushing franchise flick. We will talk more about the meaning of Barbenheimer below, but, suffice to say, nobody is yet predicting the end of franchise culture. The second-highest-grossing flick of the year worldwide – Barbie was No 1 and Oppenheimer was No 3 – turned out to be the numbingly undemanding Super Mario Bros Movie.

The best from Opinion

Today's Business

Making the magic happen at Ireland’s Christmas markets: As December arrives, most of us are only now thinking about where we put away the Christmas lights last year, if we’ve made it on to the naughty or nice list and what plans lie ahead for the festive season.

Top Sports news

Gordon D’Arcy: The Champions Cup’s future is far from certain, even in the short to medium term: Donnybrook was bursting at the seams on a September night in 1997, some 7,000 crammed into the venue as the home team welcomed the Leicester Tigers and I was one of them, sitting on top of the main gates at the Old Wesley end to witness a win first-hand on my debut as a Leinster spectator. It inspired a love affair with rugby and especially the unique delights of the European Cup.