View source for Social:Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011

{{Short description|Proposal to provide for the Houses of the Oireachtas to conduct full inquiries}}
{{Infobox referendum
| name        = Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011 
| title       = To provide for the Houses of the Oireachtas to conduct full inquiries
| country     = Ireland
| date        = {{Start date|2011|10|27|df=y}}
| yes         = 812,008
| no          = 928,175
| total       = 1,785,208
| electorate  = 3,191,157
| map         = 
}}
The '''Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011''' (bill no. 47 of 2011) was a proposed amendment to the Constitution of Ireland to provide for the Houses of the Oireachtas to conduct full inquiries.<ref name="bill_initial">{{cite web|url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/bills28/b4711d.pdf |title=Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011 as initiated and Explanatory Memorandum|work=Bills 1997 – 2011|publisher=Oireachtas|accessdate=12 September 2011}}</ref> The bill was passed by both houses of the Oireachtas, but rejected at a [[Social:Referendum|referendum]] held on 27 October 2011.<ref name="it20111029b3">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1029/breaking3.html|title=Judges' pay vote carried|last=Carroll|first=Steven|date=29 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=29 October 2011}}</ref>

==Background==
On 20 April 2000 in Abbeylara, John Carthy, who had bipolar affective disorder, barricaded himself into his residence with a shotgun in a dispute over plans to move to a new house.<ref name="iesc200221"/> The Garda Emergency Response Unit (ERU) was called to the scene, and after a 25-hour siege, Carthy was shot dead.<ref name="iesc200221"/> Carthy's family claimed the Garda had mishandled the situation and that a planned Garda internal inquiry would be inadequate. On 8 March 2001, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women's Rights established a "Sub-Committee on the Abbeylara Incident".<ref name="iesc200221"/> Although the Carthy family wanted an independent Tribunal of Inquiry, an Oireachtas inquiry was preferred as being cheaper and quicker. It planned to complete its investigation in three weeks and then issue conclusions.<ref name="subctteepr">{{cite press release |url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/viewdoc.asp?fn=/documents/press/180401.htm |publisher=Oireachtas |date=18 April 2001 |title=Sub-Committee on Abbeylara Incident Announces Details of Parliamentary Inquiry }}</ref> The Sub-Committee claimed the right to compel ERU members to give evidence, under the Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act, 1997.<ref name="iesc200221"/><ref name="subctteepr"/><ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/1997/en/act/pub/0017/index.html Committees of the Houses of the Oireachtas (Compellability, Privileges and Immunities of Witnesses) Act, 1997] Irish Statute Book</ref> The ERU members sought judicial review that the subcommittee would be acting ''ultra vires'' in compelling them to attend and then issuing a report that criticised them. On 11 March 2002, the Supreme Court agreed, by six votes to one.<ref name="iesc200221">[http://www.bailii.org/ie/cases/IESC/2002/21.html (2002) IESC 21 Maguire & ors v Ardagh & ors]</ref>

The Oireachtas instead established a Tribunal of Inquiry, called the Barr Tribunal after its sole member, Robert Barr. This tribunal sat in public for 208 days between 7 January 2003 and 7 December 2004. Its 744-page report was issued on 20 July 2006. Its total cost was almost €18 million.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2006/0719/abbeylara.html |title=Barr Tribunal set to cost taxpayer up to €18m |publisher=RTÉ |date=19 July 2006 }}</ref>

From November 2010 to January 2011, the Oireachtas Joint Committee on the Constitution reviewed the Parliamentary Power of Inquiry under Article 15.<ref>[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/committees/2010/CN.asp Committee on the Constitution – 2010] Oireachtas</ref><ref>[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/committees/2011/CN.asp Committee on the Constitution – 2011] Oireachtas</ref> Its January 2011 report recommended a Constitutional amendment, to be followed by enabling legislation and a protocol under the standing orders of each House.<ref name="jccrpt">{{cite book |author=Joint Committee on the Constitution |title=Fifth Report; Article 15 of the Constitution; review of the parliamentary power of inquiry |url=http://www.oireachtas.ie/documents/committees30thdail/j-constitution/reports-2011/Fifth_Report.pdf#page=68 |pages=66–68 |series=Oireachtas Documents |volume=A11/0140 |date=January 2011 |publisher=Oireachtas}}</ref> Oireachtas inquiries would "avoid great expense and interminable delay" of tribunals of inquiry, and could make findings of wrongdoing but not impose sanctions.<ref name="jccrpt"/> The wording the Joint Committee proposed for Article 15 was:<ref name="jccrpt"/>
* The Houses of the Oireachtas shall have the power to inquire into any matter of general public importance.
* In the course of such inquiry the Houses may investigate any individual and make findings in relation to their conduct.
* The conduct of such inquiries shall be regulated by law. Such law shall balance the rights of the individual with the public interest in the effective investigation of matters of general public importance.

In their manifestos for the 2011 general election, both Fine Gael and Labour promised an amendment to overturn the 2002 Abbeylara verdict.<ref name="it20110831">{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0831/1224303237654.html |title=Parties to discuss change to inquiries |first=Stephen |last=Collins |date=31 August 2011 |newspaper=The Irish Times }}</ref> The programme of the coalition they formed after the election committed to holding referendums "on a priority basis" on five subjects, including "the granting of full investigative powers for Oireachtas committees".<ref name="dail20110322">[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/03/22/00005.asp Dáil debates Vol.728 No.3 p.5] 22 March 2011</ref> Opposition parties were consulted about the wording of the proposed amendment.<ref name="it20110831"/>

==Proposed change to the text==
The amendment proposed to insert the following subsections highlighted in bold to Article 15.10:
{{quote frame|'''1º''' Each House shall make its own rules and standing orders, with power to attach penalties for their infringement, and shall have power to ensure freedom of debate, to protect its official documents and the private papers of its members, and to protect itself and its members against any person or persons interfering with, molesting or attempting to corrupt its members in the exercise of their duties.

'''2º Each House shall have the power to conduct an inquiry, or an inquiry with the other House, in a manner provided for by law, into any matter stated by the House or Houses concerned to be of general public importance.'''

'''3º In the course of any such inquiry the conduct of any person (whether or not a member of either House) may be investigated and the House or Houses concerned may make findings in respect of the conduct of that person concerning the matter to which the inquiry relates.'''

'''4º It shall be for the House or Houses concerned to determine, with due regard to the principles of fair procedures, the appropriate balance between the rights of persons and the public interest for the purposes of ensuring an effective inquiry into any matter to which subsection 2º applies.'''}}

==Process==
The amendment bill was published on 12 September 2011.<ref name="it20110912"/> It was introduced in Dáil Éireann on 15 September 2011 by the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Brendan Howlin,<ref>[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/09/15/00008.asp Dáil debates Vol.740 No.2 p.8]</ref> and passed final stages in the Dáil on 20 September by 102 votes to 10.<ref name="dail3rd">[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/09/20/00025.asp Dáil debates Vol.740 No.3 p.25]</ref> It passed all stages in Seanad Éireann on 21 September.<ref>Seanad debates Vol.210 No.5, [http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2011/09/22/00008.asp p.8] and [http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2011/09/22/00009.asp p.9]</ref> All proposed constitutional amendments are required to be put to a popular referendum before becoming law. The referendum was held on 27 October 2011, on the same day as the 2011 presidential election and a referendum on another proposed constitutional amendment, relating to judges' pay.<ref name="it20110912">{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/0912/breaking31.html |date=12 September 2011 |newspaper=The Irish Times |first=Michael |last=O'Regan |title=Government publishes inquiries Bill }}</ref>

A referendum commission was established, under the terms of the Referendum Act 1998, to provide voters with non-partisan information about the proposal. The commission was chaired by Bryan McMahon, a former judge of the High Court.<ref name="bt20111011"/> On 11 October, the commission launched a media information campaign and began distributing an information booklet to households in the state.<ref name="bt20111011">{{cite news|url=http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/republic-of-ireland/referendums-guide-being-delivered-16062391.html|title=Referendums guide being delivered|date=11 October 2011|work=The Belfast Telegraph|accessdate=15 October 2011}}</ref>

The Oireachtas Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions was established in July 2011<ref>[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/NVJ/2011/07/06/ Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions proceedings 6 July 2011]</ref> based on Dáil and Seanad resolutions passed the previous month.<ref>[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/06/08/00010.asp Dáil debates 8 June 2011 p.10], [http://debates.oireachtas.ie/seanad/2011/06/16/00006.asp Seanad debates 16 June 2011 p.16]</ref> Its initial orders of reference did not allude to Oireachtas investigations, but in September the government published the heads of the Oireachtas (Powers of Inquiry) Bill, 2011;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cdn.thejournal.ie/media/2011/09/20110912headsofbill.pdf|title=General Scheme of Oireachtas (Powers of Inquiry) Bill, 2011|date=12 September 2011|accessdate=13 September 2011}}</ref> if the referendum had been passed, the latter bill would then also have been passed to regulate the conduct of Oireachtas inquiries held under the terms of the amended Constitution, giving a leading role to the Joint Committee.<ref name="it20110912"/>

==Campaign==
The ''Irish Examiner'' suggested the amendment would increase the ability of the Oireachtas to investigate the 2008–2011 Irish banking crisis.<ref>{{cite news |title=Details revealed of constitutional amendment to help investigate banks |date=12 September 2011 |url=https://www.irishexaminer.com/news/arid-30520245.html |work=Irish Examiner }}</ref> Stephen Collins raised the possibility of the Fine Gael–Labour government using an Oireachtas inquiry as a witch-hunt to heap blame on its Fianna Fáil predecessor.<ref name="it20111022toomuch">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/1022/1224306301465.html|title=Will amendment give committees too much power?|last=Collins|first=Stephen|date=22 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref>

''The Irish Times'' commented that coverage of the presidential election limited public debate on the two referendums being held the same day; it stated "Because [the Thirtieth Amendment] proposes to give the Oireachtas far more power than it has ever previously enjoyed, it therefore needs careful consideration by the electorate before it decides".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/1012/1224305638388.html|title=Rushed referendums|date=12 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=15 October 2011}}</ref> Stephen Collins criticised the speed with which the Bill was rushed through both Houses, while describing some lawyers' criticisms of it as "laughable".<ref name="it20111022toomuch"/> Collins called the cost of tribunals of inquiry "scandalous" but pointed out that the Nyberg and Cloyne reports were delivered under the pre-existing Commissions of Investigation Act 2004.<ref name="it20111022toomuch"/><ref>[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/2004/en/act/pub/0023/index.html Commissions of Investigation Act 2004] Irish Statute Book</ref><ref>[http://www.bankinginquiry.gov.ie/Rules_and_Procedures.aspx Rules and Procedures] Commission of Investigation into the Banking Sector in Ireland</ref> Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore suggested much of the opposition to the amendment came from "particular sections of the legal profession who have done very well financially from the judicial tribunals in the past".<ref name="ind2914671">{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/top-legal-experts-call-for-no-vote-in-new-poll-2914671.html|title=Top legal experts call for No vote in new poll|last=Brennan|first=Michael|author2=Dearbhail McDonald |date=24 October 2011|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=24 October 2011}}</ref>

In the ''Irish Independent'', Dearbhail McDonald said she would vote no, saying 'it will be up to politicians, vulnerable to swings in public mood and media pressure ... to decide what "balance" of rights witnesses are entitled to'.<ref name="McDonald">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/dearbhail-mcdonald-we-need-a-proper-debate-before-voting-on-handing-over-our-rights-2907748.html|title=We need a proper debate before voting on handing over our rights|last=McDonald|first=Dearbhail|date=17 October 2011|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref> She cited the example of Senator Ivor Callely's successful appeal to the High Court to overturn a Seanad vote of censure, suggesting such redress might be unavailable if the referendum were passed.<ref name="McDonald" /> Minister Brendan Howlin said that advice from the Attorney General is "crystal clear" that the courts will retain judicial review over the way the Oireachtas balances rights.<ref name="vb20111026">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/1026/1224306495919.html|title=Inquiries proposal is a dangerous amendment|last=Browne|first=Vincent|date=26 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=26 October 2011}}</ref> David Gwynn Morgan concurs,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/1026/1224306495955.html|title=Amendment on inquiries vital to better Constitution|last=Morgan|first=David Gwynn|date=26 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=26 October 2011}}</ref> while Vincent Browne expressed scepticism.<ref name="vb20111026"/>

Groups supporting the amendment included the government Fine Gael and Labour parties and the opposition Fianna Fáil and [[Social:Sinn Féin|Sinn Féin]] parties.<ref name="it20111022qa"/> Groups opposing included the United Left Alliance,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitedleftalliance.org/ula-calls-for-no-vote-in-dail-inquiries-referendum/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026102235/http://www.unitedleftalliance.org/ula-calls-for-no-vote-in-dail-inquiries-referendum/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=26 October 2011 |title=ULA Calls for NO vote in Dail Inquiries Referendum |date=21 October 2011 |publisher=United Left Alliance |accessdate=23 October 2011 }}</ref><ref name="bn525299"/> 12 independent TDs and senators,<ref name="bn525299"/><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.stephendonnelly.ie/from-the-chamber/press-release-independents-calling-for-no-vote-in-inquiries-referendum/ |title=Independents calling for No vote in Inquiries referendum |date=20 October 2011 |publisher=Stephen Donnelly TD |accessdate=24 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027001529/http://www.stephendonnelly.ie/from-the-chamber/press-release-independents-calling-for-no-vote-in-inquiries-referendum/ |archivedate=27 October 2011 }}</ref> the Bar Council and Law Society, and the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL).<ref name="bn525299">{{cite news|url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/legal-groups-join-call-for-no-vote-in-referendum-525299.html|title=Legal groups join call for no vote in referendum|date=22 October 2011|publisher=breakingnews.ie|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref> While Fianna Fáil supported the amendment, its spokesperson on health, Billy Kelleher, intended to vote against it, and former minister Mary O'Rourke described it as "pointless".<ref name="it20111022qa">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1022/1224306300114.html |title=Q&A |last=de Bréadún|first=Deaglán|date=22 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=22 October 2011}}</ref> On 23 October, eight former Attorneys General signed a letter opposing the amendment.<ref name="ind2914671"/> The ICCL saw the amendment wording passed by the Houses in September as inferior to that agreed by the Committee in January.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/proposed-change-would-create-kangaroo-court-2917807.html|title=Proposed change 'would create kangaroo court'|last=Brady|first=Tom|date=27 October 2011|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=27 October 2011}}</ref>

The National Union of Journalists wrote to the Referendum Commission of members' concerns that press freedom and reporters' privilege might be impaired.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1025/breaking44.html |title=NUJ seeks clarification on referendum |newspaper=The Irish Times |date=25 October 2011 }}</ref><ref>{{citation |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/greenslade/2011/oct/25/nationalunionofjournalists-press-freedom?newsfeed=true |title=Irish constitutional change may threaten press freedom, says NUJ |first=Roy |last=Greenslade |work=The Guardian |date=25 October 2011}}</ref>

===Opinion polls===
{|class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Date !! Poller !! Commissioned by !! Yes !! No !! Undecided/<br />Abstain !!class="unsortable"| Ref
|-
| {{dts|8 October}} || Ipsos MRBI || ''The Irish Times'' || 65 || 8 || 27<ref group="n">4% abstain, 23% undecided</ref> ||<ref name="itpoll08oct">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1008/1224305460850.html|title=Coalition on track to secure victory in two referendums|last=Collins|first=Stephen|date=8 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=17 October 2011}}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|23 October}} || Behaviour & Attitudes || ''The Sunday Times'' || 76 || 18 || 6 ||<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thejournal.ie/gallagher-extends-lead-in-latest-presidential-opinion-polls-260880-Oct2011/|title=Gallagher extends lead in latest Áras opinion polls|date=22 October 2011|work=TheJournal|accessdate=22 October 2011|location=Ireland |first=Gavan |last=Reilly }}</ref>
|-
| {{dts|25 October}} || Ipsos MRBI || ''The Irish Times'' ||  57 || 20 || 23 ||<ref name="itpoll25oct">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1025/1224306447670.html|title=Opposition to Oireachtas amendment grows, poll finds|last=Collins|first=Stephen|date=25 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=25 October 2011}}</ref>
|}

{{reflist|group="n"}}

==Result==
About 5,000 people fewer voted in the referendum than in the presidential election held simultaneously with the same electorate.<ref name="it20111029b3"/> Counting began on 29 October, after counting in the presidential election was completed. The result was announced at Dublin Castle that evening:<ref name="it20111029b3"/><ref name="refcom2011ref2">{{cite web|url=http://www.referendum.ie/results.php?ref=2|title=Results received at the Central Count Centre for the Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries Referendum|date=29 October 2011|publisher=Referendum Commission|accessdate=30 October 2011|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111022010652/http://www.referendum.ie/results.php?ref=2|archivedate=22 October 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

{{Referendum
|title      = Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011<ref name=Ref_results>{{cite web|url=http://www.housing.gov.ie/sites/default/files/migrated-files/en/Publications/LocalGovernment/Voting/referendum_results_1937-2015.pdf|work=Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government|title=Referendum Results 1937–2015|page=83|date=23 August 2016|accessdate=9 May 2018}}</ref>
|no         = 928,175
|nopct      = 53.34
|yes        = 812,008
|yespct     = 46.66
|valid      = 1,740,183
|validpct   = 97.48
|invalid    = 45,025
|invalidpct = 2.52
|total      = 1,785,208
|turnoutpct = 55.94
|electorate = 3,191,157
}}

Votes were counted separately in each Dáil constituency and sent to the [[Social:Returning officer|returning officer]] in Dublin Castle.

{|class="wikitable sortable"
|+Results by constituency<ref name=Ref_results/>
|-
! rowspan=2 | Constituency
! rowspan=2 | Electorate
! rowspan=2 | {{nowrap|Turnout (%)}}
! colspan=2 | Votes
! colspan=2 | Proportion of votes
|-
! Yes
! No
! Yes
! No
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Carlow–Kilkenny
| style="text-align: right;" | 106,810 
| style="text-align: right;" | 55.5% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 28,339 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''29,113'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 49.3%
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''50.7%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Cavan–Monaghan
| style="text-align: right;" | 98,952 
| style="text-align: right;" | 59.0% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 27,542 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''28,789'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.9% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.1%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Clare
| style="text-align: right;" | 81,419 
| style="text-align: right;" | 57.9% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 22,273 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''23,422'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Cork East
| style="text-align: right;" | 82,731 
| style="text-align: right;" | 54.8% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 20,966 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''23,141'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.5% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.5%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Cork North-Central
| style="text-align: right;" | 75,622 
| style="text-align: right;" | 54.9% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 18,830 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''21,780'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.4% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''53.6%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Cork North-West
| style="text-align: right;" | 62,113 
| style="text-align: right;" | 60.6% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 17,232 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''19,287'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.2% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.8%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Cork South-Central
| style="text-align: right;" | 91,716 
| style="text-align: right;" | 58.4% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 23,459 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''29,028'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 44.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''55.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Cork South-West
| style="text-align: right;" | 60,248 
| style="text-align: right;" | 59.4% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 16,924 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''17,798'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Donegal North-East
| style="text-align: right;" | 58,579 
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.6% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 11,253 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''16,330'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 40.8% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''59.2%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Donegal South-West
| style="text-align: right;" | 64,158 
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.2% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 12,569 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''17,268'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 42.1% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''57.9%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin Central
| style="text-align: right;" | 54,500 
| style="text-align: right;" | 51.6% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 12,818 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''14,808'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.4% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''53.6%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin Mid-West
| style="text-align: right;" | 64,370 
| style="text-align: right;" | 52.9% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 15,942 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''17,623'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.5% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.5%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin North
| style="text-align: right;" | 69,347 
| style="text-align: right;" | 57.2% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 18,294 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''20,788'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.8% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''53.2%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin North-Central
| style="text-align: right;" | 51,929 
| style="text-align: right;" | 63.8% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 14,226 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''18,416'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 43.6% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''56.4%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin North-East
| style="text-align: right;" | 57,627 
| style="text-align: right;" | 59.7% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 15,404 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''18,435'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 45.5% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''54.5%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin North-West
| style="text-align: right;" | 50,410 
| style="text-align: right;" | 50.2% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 11,819 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''12,967'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin South
| style="text-align: right;" | 104,145 
| style="text-align: right;" | 61.8% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 27,758 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''35,744'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 43.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''56.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin South-Central
| style="text-align: right;" | 77,688 
| style="text-align: right;" | 53.3% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 18,420 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''22,142'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 45.4% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''54.6%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin South-East
| style="text-align: right;" | 55,533 
| style="text-align: right;" | 55.1% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 11,177 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''18,912'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 37.2% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''62.8%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin South-West
| style="text-align: right;" | 69,977 
| style="text-align: right;" | 52.3% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 17,432 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''18,541'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.5% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.5%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dublin West
| style="text-align: right;" | 61,583 
| style="text-align: right;" | 58.9% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 16,322 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''19,467'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 45.6% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''54.4%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Dún Laoghaire
| style="text-align: right;" | 82,033 
| style="text-align: right;" | 59.8% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 20,094 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''28,151'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 41.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''58.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Galway East
| style="text-align: right;" | 81,896 
| style="text-align: right;" | 57.3% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 22,003 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''23,207'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Galway West
| style="text-align: right;" | 94,700 
| style="text-align: right;" | 53.3% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 22,529 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''26,442'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.0% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''54.0%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Kerry North–West Limerick
| style="text-align: right;" | 63,068 
| style="text-align: right;" | 54.6% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 15,892 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''17,338'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.8% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.2%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Kerry South
| style="text-align: right;" | 57,776 
| style="text-align: right;" | 55.1% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 14,495 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''16,171'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.3% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.7%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Kildare North
| style="text-align: right;" | 76,623 
| style="text-align: right;" | 56.7% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 19,389 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''23,284'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 45.4% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''54.6%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Kildare South
| style="text-align: right;" | 57,933 
| style="text-align: right;" | 53.9% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 14,940 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''15,567'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 49.0% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.0%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Laois–Offaly
| style="text-align: right;" | 107,023 
| style="text-align: right;" | 55.3% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 27,149 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''30,324'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.2% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.8%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Limerick
| style="text-align: right;" | 66,421 
| style="text-align: right;" | 52.1% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 16,820 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''16,942'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 49.8% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''50.2%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Limerick City
| style="text-align: right;" | 66,345 
| style="text-align: right;" | 55.4% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 17,166 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''18,413'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.3% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.7%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Longford–Westmeath
| style="text-align: right;" | 85,911 
| style="text-align: right;" | 52.8% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 20,304 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''23,711'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.1% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''53.9%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Louth
| style="text-align: right;" | 102,941 
| style="text-align: right;" | 56.3% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 27,089 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''29,583'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.8% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.2%'''
|-
| style="background:#c8ffc8;"| Mayo
| style="text-align: right;" | 97,714 
| style="text-align: right;" | 54.8% 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''26,091'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 25,658
| style="text-align: right; background:#c8ffc8;" | '''50.4%'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 49.6%
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Meath East
| style="text-align: right;" | 65,477 
| style="text-align: right;" | 54.0% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 16,453 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''18,158'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 47.5% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''52.5%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Meath West
| style="text-align: right;" | 63,111 
| style="text-align: right;" | 52.2% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 15,021 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''17,123'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.7% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''53.3%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Roscommon–South Leitrim
| style="text-align: right;" | 60,416 
| style="text-align: right;" | 60.1% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 15,547 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''19,565'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 44.3% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''55.7%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Sligo–North Leitrim
| style="text-align: right;" | 62,152 
| style="text-align: right;" | 55.0% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 15,353 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''17,818'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.3% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''53.7%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Tipperary North
| style="text-align: right;" | 62,603 
| style="text-align: right;" | 61.1% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 17,276 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''19,653'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.8% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''53.2%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Tipperary South
| style="text-align: right;" | 56,295 
| style="text-align: right;" | 57.8% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 15,316 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''16,195'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.6% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.4%'''
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Waterford
| style="text-align: right;" | 78,960 
| style="text-align: right;" | 54.1% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 20,010 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''21,549'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 48.2% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''51.8%'''
|-
| style="background:#c8ffc8;"| Wexford
| style="text-align: right;" | 108,490 
| style="text-align: right;" | 53.9% 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''28,517'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 28,397 
| style="text-align: right; background:#c8ffc8;" | '''50.1%'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 49.9%
|-
| style="background:#ffc8c8;"| Wicklow
| style="text-align: right;" | 93,812 
| style="text-align: right;" | 61.6% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 25,555 
| style="text-align: right;" | '''31,127'''
| style="text-align: right;" | 45.1% 
| style="text-align: right; background:#ffc8c8;" | '''54.9%'''
|-
|- class="sortbottom" style="font-weight:bold; background:rgb(232,232,232);"
| Total
| style="text-align: right;" | 3,191,157 
| style="text-align: right;" | 55.9% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 812,008 
| style="text-align: right;" | 928,175 
| style="text-align: right;" | 46.7% 
| style="text-align: right;" | 53.3%
|}

==Aftermath==

===Causes===
Politicians and journalists suggested several factors contributed to the defeat of the referendum.

Harry McGee in ''The Irish Times'', and Seán Fleming, the Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Public Expenditure and Reform, mentioned the rushed nature of the legislative process.<ref name="rte20111030ref">{{cite news|url=http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/1030/referendum.html|title=Govt defuses row with referendum commission|date=1 November 2011|work=RTÉ.ie|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref><ref name="it1224306844884">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1101/1224306844884.html|title=Five reasons why referendum was lost|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=2 November 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref> After its formation in February, the government had a long list of proposed amendments; the Oireachtas inquiries was not brought to the head of the list till the summer recess, and then rushed through in the autumn.

Holding two referendums and the presidential election simultaneously reduced media time for debate; some underinformed voters adopted a policy of "if you don't know vote no".<ref name="it1224306844884"/>

The precise wording of the amendment was considered vague by many;<ref name="ind2921273"/> Harry McGee mentioned that the Referendum Commission's information booklet drew attention to this.<ref name="it1224306844884"/> Brendan Howlin, the sponsoring minister, suggested in ''The Sunday Times'' that the Referendum Commission's briefing had caused confusion. The Commission publicly objected to what it saw as a criticism of its impartiality and of its chairman personally. Howlin apologised and described his original comments as "cack-handed".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2011/1031/breaking8.html|title=Howlin apologises for 'slight' to Referendum Commission – The Irish Times – Mon, Oct 31, 2011|last=Collins|first=Stephen|author2=Aoife Carr |date=31 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref> Law lecturer Donncha O'Connell characterised the Referendum Commission's advertising campaign as "facile and patronising".<ref name="it1224306842663">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/opinion/2011/1101/1224306842663.html|title=Balance of public interest and rights still unresolved|last=O'Connell|first=Donncha|date=1 November 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref> In April 2012, ''The Irish Times'' reported that an unpublished briefing produced by the Commission for minister Phil Hogan described as "grossly inadequate" the five weeks it had had to fulfil its functions.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/breaking/2012/0416/breaking4.html|title=Commission says time given to referendums 'inadequate' – The Irish Times – Mon, Apr 16, 2012|last=de Bréadún|first=Deaglán|date=16 April 2012|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=16 April 2012}}</ref>

The electorate retained a distrust of politicians previously evident in the general election in February 2011; journalists suggested voters did not trust politicians to wield quasi-judicial power.<ref name="it1224306806339">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/1031/1224306806339.html|title=The people clearly do not trust politicians to be judges|last=Coulter|first=Carol|date=31 October 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref>

Seán Fleming criticised the government's perceived arrogance during the campaign.<ref name="rte20111030ref"/> Journalists mentioned in particular Alan Shatter's dismissive response to the Attorney Generals' voicing of opposition.<ref name="it1224306844884"/><ref name="ind2921273">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/dearbhail-mcdonald-voters-give-stern-backlash-to-our-arrogant-leaders-2921273.html|title=Voters give stern backlash to our arrogant leaders|last=McDonald|first=Dearbhail|date=31 October 2011|work=Irish Independent|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref> Joan Burton's regret for a ''Prime Time'' debate between Howlin and Michael McDowell was seen by Mary Regan of the ''Irish Examiner'' as a veiled critique of her Labour-Party cabinet colleague.<ref name="ex172376">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/blame-game-172376.html|title=Blame game|last=Regan|first=Mary|date=31 October 2011|work=Irish Examiner|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref>

===Consequences===
The government's statement after the result was:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.merrionstreet.ie/index.php/2011/10/statement-on-proposed-amendments-to-the-constitution/?cat=3|title=Statement on proposed amendments to the Constitution|date=29 October 2011|work=MerrionStreet.ie|publisher=Government of Ireland|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref>
:It is disappointing that the 30th amendment has been narrowly defeated but the Constitution is something that belongs to the people and we acknowledge and accept the people's democratic decision. We will reflect and carefully consider the outcome of this referendum.

Brendan Howlin suggested the government's plans for a large number of further Constitutional amendments would be made less ambitious.<ref name="it1224306845885">{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1101/1224306845885.html|title=Coalition reflects on ambitious referendums target after defeat|last=McGee|first=Harry|date=1 November 2011|newspaper=The Irish Times|accessdate=1 November 2011}}</ref> The constitutional convention planned for 2012 might be delayed to 2014.<ref name="it1224306845885"/> Much of the work planned for the Oireachtas Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions was predicated on the amendment passing.<ref name="it1224306845885"/> Eamon Gilmore suggested the planned Oireachtas inquiry into the banking crisis would no longer be able to proceed.<ref name="ex172376"/>

Gilmore suggested the subject might be revisited by a future referendum.<ref name="ex172376"/> Donncha O'Connell suggested that public support was still strong for the principle of Oireachtas inquiries, and that a future retry for a similar amendment should return to the model suggested by the Oireachtas Committee is January 2011.<ref name="it1224306842663"/>

In December, the Minister Howlin appeared before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions to discuss amending its terms of reference in light of the defeat of the referendum.<ref>[http://debates.oireachtas.ie/NVJ/2011/12/15/00003.asp Oireachtas Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions proceedings, 15 December 2011]</ref> In January 2012, new terms of reference were published for the committee, to be renamed the Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions.<ref>[http://www.oireachtas.ie/parliament/mediazone/pressreleases/name-3382-en.html Report launch: new Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions] Oireachtas press release</ref>

The government commissioned a report from three academics on factors influencing the public's vote, and lessons for future referendums.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://per.gov.ie/research-on-reasons-behind-voter-behaviour-in-the-oireachtas-inquiry-referendum-2011/|title=Research on Reasons Behind Voter Behaviour in the Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum 2011|date=22 February 2012|publisher=Department of Public Expenditure and Reform|accessdate=29 February 2012|location=Dublin}}</ref> The report was published on 22 February 2012, and discussed at a meeting of the Oireachtas Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://per.gov.ie/wp-content/uploads/OIReferendum-Report-Final-2003-corrected.pdf |title=Report on Reasons Behind Voter Behaviour in the Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum 2011|last1=Marsh|first1=Michael |first2=Jane |last2=Suiter |author3=Theresa Reidy |date=January 2012|publisher=Department of Public Expenditure and Reform|accessdate=29 February 2012 |location=Dublin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://debates.oireachtas.ie/NVJ/2012/02/22/00003.asp|title=Oireachtas Inquiry Referendum 2011: Discussion|author=Joint Committee on Investigations, Oversight and Petitions|date=22 February 2012 |work=Proceedings |publisher=Oireachtas|accessdate=29 February 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
*[https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/bills/bill/2011/47/ Oireachtas site: Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution (Houses of the Oireachtas Inquiries) Bill 2011]
*[http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/en/constitution/index.html Full text of the Constitution of Ireland]
*{{cite web |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120403000120/http://www.referendum2011.ie/your-decision/referendum-on-inquiries-by-the-oireachtas |title=Referendum on inquiries by the Oireachtas |url=http://www.referendum2011.ie/your-decision/referendum-on-inquiries-by-the-oireachtas |publisher=2011 Referendum Commission |archivedate=3 April 2012}}


[[Category:Parliamentary procedure]]

{{Sourceattribution|Thirtieth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2011}}