Taoiseach rules out holding referendum on same-sex marriage

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern yesterday ruled out holding a referendum to change the Constitution and permit same-sex marriages.

Such a poll would be socially divisive and Irish voters would probably reject same-sex marriages, he said.

Instead, the Taoiseach said he wanted to address problems faced by same-sex couples in areas such as inheritance, pensions and insurance rights.