Nineteenth Amendment of The Constitution of Ireland - Overview

Overview

The amendment of Articles 2 and 3 was demanded by Unionists during negotiations leading to the Belfast Agreement. The Government declaration implementing the changes to Articles 2 and 3 also added a new provision (Article 29.8) related to the state's extraterritorial jurisdiction. The declaration furthermore operated to remove from the official text those provisions that had provided the temporary mechanism for Article 2 and 3's amendment. However, it was stated that these provision would continue to have effect, insofar as the changes they had brought about to other articles would continue to be valid.

The Nineteenth Amendment was introduced by the Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrats coalition government of Bertie Ahern, but was supported by all major political parties. When put to a referendum it was overwhelmingly endorsed by over 94% of the participating electorate.