Ireland PM concedes defeat in constitutional referendum to redefine family, women's roles

The government had supported the proposed changes, which would have widened the definition of the family and clarified the duties of women in society. 

"I think it's clear at this stage, that the family amendment and the care amendment referendums have been defeated," Varadkar said at a press conference in Dublin.

The votes are the latest attempt to reflect the changing face of European Union member Ireland, and the waning influence of the once-dominant Catholic Church. 

But by 1200 GMT it was clear that counting was showing a trend towards a "No" on the two questions about care and family.

Read moreIreland votes on removing constitutional reference to ‘women in the home’

Varadkar said the referendums had been "defeated comprehensively on a respectable turnout". 

"It was our responsibility to convince a majority of people to vote yes," he said.

"I think we struggled to convince people of the necessity or need for the referendum at all, let alone detail the wording. 

"That's obviously something we're going to have to reflect on into the weeks and months ahead."

The two proposals – called the family amendment and the care amendment – aimed to change the text of Article 41 in the Irish constitution, written in 1937.

The first asked citizens to expand the definition of family from those founded on marriage to also include "durable relationships" such as cohabiting couples and their children. 

The second proposed replacing old-fashioned language around a mother's "duties in the home" with a clause recognising care provided by family members to one another.

The constitution, the core legal text of the nation, can only be modified through a national referendum. 

The country of 5.3 million opted to end constitutional limits on same-sex marriage in 2015 and abortion in 2018.

All the major political parties had supported a "Yes-Yes" vote and until recently polls predicted a smooth passage for both on International Women's Day.  

But "No" campaigners argued the concept of "durable relationship" was undefined and confusing and that women and mothers are being "cancelled" from the constitution. 

Meanwhile, ultra-conservative voices argued the changes could constitutionally protect polygamous relationships and increase immigration via migrant family reunions – claims all denied by the government.

Final results in both votes are expected by late Saturday. 

Nearly 3.5 million people were eligible to cast their ballot. 

(AFP)