Reinstate Article 48 of the Irish Free State Constitution

We, the undersigned of the nation of Ireland, hereby petition the Government to hold an ‘ordinary’ national referendum — in accordance with the democratic principles enshrined in the Constitution — to restore the right of the Irish people to initiate referenda and vote directly on matters of national importance — by reinstating the direct democratic powers set out in Article 48 of the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State.

We propose that the following constitutional provisions be placed before the Irish people for approval in a referendum:

1. Referendum by Popular Initiative:
   A defined number of registered voters (75,000) shall have the right to petition for a national referendum on:
   • (a) Proposed legislation
   • (b) The amendment or repeal of existing laws
   • (c) Any major question of national policy or public interest
2. Constitutional Amendment by Popular Initiative:
   Citizens may propose amendments to the Constitution via public petition. Proposals shall undergo legal review to ensure clarity and consistency with the constitution.
3. Mandatory Referendum Within 120 Days:
   Upon verification of a valid petition, the State shall be constitutionally required to hold a national referendum within 120 days of submission.
4. Binding Legal Effect:
   Referenda initiated by the people shall have the same legal force and effect as referenda initiated by the Government or Oireachtas.

This petition is grounded in Article 6 of Bunreacht na hÉireann, which states:

“All powers of government, legislative, executive and judicial, derive, under God, from the people… whose right it is, in final appeal, to decide all questions of national policy.”