Referendum Commission
A number of referendums will be put to voters in Ireland over the next few years. File photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Poll on Eighth Amendment is most urgent of several referendums

Over the next two years a series of potential amendments to the Constitution will be put to voters for consideration. The most significant and funda(...)

Is there anything to be said for another referendum? Or eight?

The Government wants to hold eight referendums over the next two years, including one on abortion next year. Some of the referendums may be held in c(...)

The audience at a debate last week organised by the London Irish Business Society
Brexit: Divided Irish in Britain want clearer advice
  • UK
  • May 13, 2016, 01:00

As the bingo cards and markers are put away in the early afternoon, chat in a Luton-Irish forum turns to Brexit. Richard Coogan, originally from How(...)

Former taoiseach and Fianna Fáil leader Bertie Ahern: in 2001, a Fianna Fáil-led government tried to ban opinion polls in the last week of an election. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Harry McGee: Eight of out 10 politicians have mixed views on polls

Eight out of 10 cats prefer a certain brand of petfood, according to the famous advertising campaign. The survey was ludicrous, of course, but it hasn(...)

Outgoing President of the High Court Mr Justice Nicholas Kearns (right): he retires later this month after six years in the post. Photograph: Cyril Byrne
Decision on next High Court president within days

A former Fine Gael minister of state and a former chairman of the Referendum Commission are believed to be among the main contenders for appointment(...)

Mr Justice Kevin Cross, chairperson of the Referendum Commission. File photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill/The Irish Times
Referendum Commission says extra time helped marriage vote turnout

The Referendum Commission has indicated the Government decision to give it a much longer period to do its work for the same-sex marriage and president(...)

The Government recently announced it will fast-track legislation to allow for same-sex marriages by early autumn. Photograph: Cyril Byrne/The Irish Times
Challenge to same sex marriage result rejected

Two men have been refused permission by the High Court to bring petitions challenging the Yes result of last month’s same sex marriage referendum. Th(...)

Two applications for leave to bring petitions challenging the result of the Same-sex Marriage Referendum will come before the High Court on Friday. File photograph: Yui Mok/PA Wire
Legal bids to challenge same-sex marriage result due

Two separate applications for leave to bring petitions challenging the result of the referendum clearing the way for same-sex marriage here will come (...)

One online campaign during the Same-sex Marriage Referendum in Ireland build-up was the #hometovote phenomenon, which had huge purchase with emigrants. In its own way, this imaginative innovation was the perfect illustration of the way in which the Yes campaign had captured public imagination and popular support. Photograph: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
Same-sex vote the moment where social media proved its mettle

This has been the moment where the social media phenomenon has come into its own in an Irish electoral contest. Platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, W(...)

Evidence suggests that, for the first time in an Irish poll, social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube have been as influential in the referendum campaign as traditional media. Photograph: Dado Ruvic/Reuters
Social media plays major role in Irish poll for first time

Social media has played a significant role in shaping the debate and mobilising voters in the same-sex marriage referendum, according to preliminary (...)