A further two major NGOs will not campaign for the Government’s proposed “care” amendment to the Constitution.

This follows a call for a No vote of the same amendment by the Free Legal Advice Centres (Flac).

The board of the Independent Living Movement Ireland (ILMI) voted unanimously that it has “no position as an organisation” on either of the forthcoming referendums and it has withdrawn from an alliance of civil society groups campaigning for a Yes vote.

The ILMI and the other organisations in the ‘equality coalition’ had built a ‘comprehensive’ understanding of the term “care”. However, after the wording of the amendment “fell short”, the coalition lobbied for changes, but none were accepted.

Meanwhile, the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL) said the care amendment “will not provide meaningful legal protection to any person who gives or receives care”.

The ICCL said it will not be taking part in the referendum campaign but hoped it is “well informed, and that human rights and equality are given meaningful consideration during the debates”.