Fine Gael minister backs gay marriage referendum

A Fine Gael minister has backed the idea of a referendum next year on extending marriage rights to same sex couples.

Brian Hayes, minister of state at the Department of Finance, says he has “no problem” with a poll on the constitutional change, despite some in the Fine Gael top brass being wary of the issue.

Mr Hayes is the most senior Fine Gael minister to come out, specifically, in support of a referendum in 2014. And he joins Justice Minister Alan Shatter and Transport Minister Leo Varadkar in saying he would vote yes in a gay marriage poll.