Campaigners hail ‘milestone’ for gay marriage equality

Gay rights campaigners have hailed what they described as a “major milestone” on the journey to full equality as the Government considers a recommendation to extend marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Conservative and Catholic groups said the recommendation by the Constitutional Convention was expected but the result of any referendum on the issue would be far less certain.

Some 79% of members of the 100 strong think-tank voted to recommend that the Constitution be amended, while 19% voted against. The issue will now be debated in the Oireachtas and the Government has four months to state how it will act on the recommendation.