This document discusses Ireland's upcoming referendum on May 22nd. It will ask citizens to vote yes or no on two questions that could change the Irish constitution. The first question is lowering the minimum age to run for President of Ireland from 35 to 21. The second question asks if the definition of marriage should be changed to allow same-sex couples to marry. The document provides background on both issues, outlines arguments from the yes and no campaigns, and encourages readers to consider the potential pros and cons of each proposed change.

1. Referendum 2015

2. What is democracy?
Democracy means,
‘rule by the people’
This is the opposite of a
monarchy where a King or
Queen rules.

3. The Government
 We have to choose
people (politicians) to
represent us in the
government.
 We choose politicians
we believe will make the
best decisions for us.
 Everyone votes for
their favourite and the
parties with the most
votes, form the
government.

4. Just like our Student Council
How do the student council help us??

5. Important changes for our
country.
 Sometimes
decisions are too
important for other
people to make for
us.
 We have to think
about the pros and
cons ourselves.

6. Referendum
 When this happens we must all have our say
on how we feel about the topic.
 We vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on the topic.
 This is the fairest way to make a decision.
 This is called a referendum.

7. Right to Vote
 Everyone has the right to vote in Ireland
from the age of 18.
 Everyone is allowed to have their own
opinion on a matter.
 Everyone’s vote is private and they may not
want to tell you what they are voting.
 If you do not agree with them, it is not fair
to be disrespectful to them because of
this.

8. What is happening on May 22nd?
 This Friday, May 22nd, the people of
Ireland will vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ on two very
important questions.

9. What is happening on May 22nd?
 When all of the votes have been counted, changes
will be made to our constitution.
 The constitution is Ireland’s set of rules that we
live by and a record of what our rights are.

10. Question 1 – The President’s age
 In this referendum question, you may vote
‘yes ‘or ‘no’ on reducing the age in which
someone can be president of Ireland from
35 to 21.
 That means once someone is 21 they can
campaign to become the president of
Ireland.

11. What does the president do?
 The president works
alongside the government
and has many powers and
functions, some include;
 He is in charge of the
defence forces.
 He appoints people to
important jobs within
government like the
Taoiseach.
 He represents Ireland all
over the world.
 He signs important bills into
law.
Michael D. Higgins

12. Past Presidents and their ages
 Douglas Hide (1938 – 1945) 78 years old.
 Eamon DeValera (1959 – 1973) 76years old.
 Patrick J Hillery(1976 – 1990) 56 years old.
 Mary Robinson (1990 – 1997) 46 years old.
 Mary McAleese (1997 – 2011) 46 years old.
 Michael D Higgins ((2011 – Present) 70
years old.

13. What do you think the pros and
cons might be to this change in our
constitution??
Pros Cons

14. Question 2 - Marriage
 In this question you may vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to
change the law that will mean two people
can marry each other regardless of their
gender.
 This will mean that 2 men, 2 women or a
man and a woman can get married and have
a family.

15. Yes Campaign Argue…
 ‘Everyone should have the right to marry
regardless of gender.’
 ‘Everyone should be seen as equals within
the constitution.’
 ‘The referendum will not affect anyone
else’s marriage if passed.’
 ‘A ‘yes’ vote will not affect children.’
(www.yesequality.ie)

16. No Campaign argue…
 ‘We should not change the definition of
marriage – that of a man and a woman.’
 ‘Changing the meaning of marriage will have
consequences for children, education, laws,
religious beliefs and freedom of speech.’
 ‘Every child should have the right to a mother
and father.’
 ‘Civil partnership is a way to show commitment.’
 (www.#keepmarriage.com)

17. What do you think the pros and
cons might be to this change in our
constitution??
Pros Cons

18. Want to research more??
 Information for this presentation was
sourced from the following websites.
- www.refcom2015.ie
- http://www.president.ie/
- www.yesequality.ie
- http://keepmarriage.org/reasons-to-vote-
no-irish-marriage-referendum.html
- http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/constitutio
n.html