Tag: Ireland

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Irish Constitutional Convention approves allowing referendum on marriage equality

By a vote of 79-18, the Irish Constitutional Convention has approved a referendum for marriage equality according to the Irish Examiner.

Convention Chairman Tom Arnold announced the results of the vote to enthusiastic applause.

“I would like to thank all of the participants who contributed to the Constitutional Convention’s same-sex marriage discussion,” Mr Arnold commented.

“I am very pleased that proceedings were conducted in a fair and transparent manner with all sides getting an opportunity to make their respective cases.

“This weekend’s discussions have been both passionate and thoughtful, both heartfelt and rigorous.”

A report will now be drafted and sent to the Government, which will have four months with which to respond.  If the Government agrees with the recommendation, a timeline for the referendum will be decided and scheduled. 

A 2012 poll shows strong support for marriage equality in Ireland – 75% approve of making civil marriage legal for same-sex couples.  In addition, the same poll shows 2 out of 3 polled say same-sex marriage will strengthen society as a whole.

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Dublin passes marriage equality into law

In Dublin, Ireland, the city council has passed marriage equality by a vote of 38-4.

Via press release:

Two motions in support of marriage equality were put forward – by councillors from Labour and Sinn Féin – and passed at last night’s council meeting, having been considered jointly. Dublin City Council joins Cork City Council and Belfast City Council, who passed similar motions in June, as well as Omagh, Down, Moyle and Magherafelt District Councils who passed motions during the summer months.

“This is a wonderful step by Dublin City Council to raise awareness of this important issue at a local level. We’d like to thank the councillors from both Labour and Sinn Féin for their initiative, and our supporters in Dublin who spoke to their councillors over the last few months about raising the issue,” said Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith.

“Marriage equality is not just a national issue, it’s a local one. It’s about respecting and protecting loving couples and families who are part of our communities and treating them as equal. That is why putting the issue on the agenda at local level is so important.”

Dublin City Council has strongly supported lesbian and gay inclusion in Dublin city over many years, including the second-largest public parade – Dublin Pride – each year, and support many other LGBT cultural events.

Recent polls show marriage equality supported by 73% of Ireland.