On 13 and 14 of April the Constitutional Convention addressed the issue of altering the Constitution to allow for same-sex marriage in Ireland. Bulletin readers may recall that the Convention has looked at issues including; the voting age, the presidential term of office, the role of women in the home, and enhancing women’s participation in politics and public life.
At the most recent meeting of the Convention, the group heard from legal experts as well as selected supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage before deliberating among themselves and casting a ballot. The issue of same-sex marriage in Ireland was highly topical and the Convention received over 1,000 submissions on the matter from advocacy groups and members of the public.
The Irish Constitution does not make specific reference to marriage as being between a man and a women, it simply states that marriage is the foundation of the family. The Irish Courts have consistently interpreted the word “marriage” in the Constitution as applying only to the legal union of a man and a woman.
The Constitutional Convention recommended that the Constitution should be changed to allow for civil marriage for same-sex couples. 79 per cent of those in attendance voted in favour of the proposal, 19 per cent voted against and the remainder had no opinion. The Convention also voted in favour of recommending that the State pass laws “incorporating changed arrangements in regard to the parentage, guardianship, and the upbringing of children.”
Tanáiste Eamon Gilmore welcomed the decisions of the Convention and told media outlets that he does not see any potential roadblock to a referendum on same-sex marriage. Alan Shatter, Minister for Justice and Equality, said there was a “reasonable prospect” that the government would hold a referendum on same-sex marriage before the next general election.
The recommendations of the Constitutional Convention will go before the Oireachtas for debate following which the cabinet will make a decision on whether to hold a referendum and the timing of such a referendum.
The next meeting of the Constitutional Convention will consider the Dáil electoral system and the way in which politicians are elected.
Click here to view the Constitutional Convention’s webpage
Click here to read an article from the Irish Independent
Click here to read a press release from the ICCL, Marriage Equality and GLEN
On 23 April, the French parliament approved a law allowing same-sex couples to marry and to adopt children. In addition, Uruguay recently legalised same-sex marriage and was followed in quick succession by New Zealand where a marriage equality bill was approved on 17 April. The Bill was accepted by 77 votes to 44 after an emotive debate by the Members of Parliament.
Click here to read an RTE news article on same-sex marriage in France.