Pressure for same-sex marriage poll

Taoiseach Enda Kenny will come under pressure to announce a referendum on same-sex marriage after the constitutional convention voted overwhelmingly in favour of the move.

Their decision was welcomed by the Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore who said the current laws — stating that marriage is between a man and a woman — “reflect the past and not the future”.

The Labour leader said: “It’s not the role of the State to pass judgment on who a person falls in love with, or who they want to spend their life with.”

Gay rights campaigners hailed what they said was “an historic step” after 79% of members of the constitutional think-tank voted to amend the Constitution, while 19% voted against.

The Taoiseach has consistently refused to state his view on same-sex marriage, instead saying it was a matter for the constitutional convention to deal with.

Justice Minister Alan Shatter also welcomed members’ support for “reform and modernisation of our laws in relation to parentage, guardianship and upbringing of children”.

The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, GLEN, said Ireland has made “extraordinary progress” over the past 20 years and is “ready to take the next step”.

The Catholic Church said it will “continue to promote and seek protection for the uniqueness of marriage between a woman and a man, the nature of which best serves children and society”.