Taoiseach to push for yes vote in gay marriage referendum

Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday expressed strong support for same-sex marriage in a move that will send him on another collision course with the Catholic hierarchy.

Wed, 06 Nov, 2013 - 00:00

Mr Kenny’s comments followed the Government’s widely expected decision to hold a referendum extending marriage rights to same- sex couples in 2015 when the electorate may be asked to vote on up to six different referenda on a special “constitution day”.

The Taoiseach said the Government had decided to put Constitutional Convention recommendations, including gay marriage, to the people by mid-2015 and “in respect of today’s decision, I support that very strongly and we’ll campaign for it when it comes”.

It was the first clear indication from the Taoiseach that he will support and campaign for same-sex marriage after a 2007 interview in which he stated he did not support gay marriage.

The Bishop of Kildare and Leighlin Denis Nulty said to change the nature of marriage would undermine it as the fundamental building block of society and the church will fully participate in the democratic debate and campaign for a no vote.

It won’t be the first time Mr Kenny has clashed with the Church. Prior to this year’s vote on abortion, Mr Kenny told the Dáil he was a public representative “who happens to be a Catholic but not a Catholic Taoiseach” after he was branded a murderer by some anti-abortion campaigners.

Following the publication of the Cloyne report into child sex abuse, Mr Kenny said it excavated “the dysfunction, disconnection, elitism, the narcissism, that dominate the culture of the Vatican to this day”.

However, it’s highly unlikely the gay marriage debate will be as divisive as the legislation surrounding the X case because the contentious issue of gay adoption is expected to be legislated for well ahead of the 2015 referendum.

Meanwhile, the proposal to lower voting age will also be put to the people on the scheduled constitution day and other issues could include the removal of the “women in the home” clause in the constitution and the extension of voting rights to emigrants abroad.

The decision was welcomed by campaigners including Kieran Rose of the Gay and Lesbian equality Network (GLEN) who said the decision was a historic step in the remarkable 20- year journey from gay law reform to full constitutional equality for lesbian and gay men in Ireland.

Seems Enda Kenny actually summoned up the courage to have an opinion. And thankfully, he is in favour of same sex marriage in Ireland.
— Stiofán Mac Giolla Catháin (@StiofanMGC) November 5, 2013

Take a bow David Norris. Today's #gaymarriage ref announcement stems in large part from your courage in challenging #criminalisation laws
— Dearbhail McDonald (@DearbhailDibs) November 5, 2013