A Yes vote in next week’s referendums would mean “major uncertainties” for people in short-term relationships, according to a group of lawyers led by former Attorney General, Michael McDowell.

It would also have long-term consequences in areas of law such as family, tax and property, and result in “no justiciable rights” for people either giving or needing care, Lawyers for No (LFN) said.

The ad hoc group campaigning for a ‘NoNo’ vote also includes Clare Independent TD and barrister Michael McNamara; barrister and journalist Brenda Power; and Maria Steen.

Senator McDowell heavily criticised the government’s behaviour saying that the referendum bills had been pushed through “in a matter of hours”, and without “pre-legislative scrutiny”. He said Minister Roderic O’Gorman’s department’s decision to not publish the minutes of 16 meetings held between interdepartmental groups was “absolutely extraordinary”.

McDowell said the government was in effect saying that it is “in the public interest to keep the public in the dark” on the consequences of the constitutional amendments it is keeping until after votes have been cast.