I’ll fight for same-sex marriage

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney said he and Fine Gael colleagues are ready to fight for a yes vote in the referendum on same-sex marriage and that it is time to end discrimination in Ireland.

Mr Coveney said he wanted to be at the forefront of the campaign for same- sex marriage and that a yes vote would modernise Ireland.

The Government have indicated that the vote on marriage equality is expected to be held in the spring of next year, at the same time as other referendums.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, Mr Coveney explained: “I’m strongly supportive of it and I hope to be involved in that campaign. I see this as a human rights issue.

“People who love each other and want to commit their lives to each other and want to take on the responsibility of getting married, I think the State should be ensuring that they have equal treatment to other couples.”

The Cork-South-Central TD said he expected most of his party’s colleagues would be of the same view.

“I think they’ll also be very comfortable with it [the vote]. I think it’s a sign of a modern country that is confident in its own independence. Part of the evolution and modernisation of Ireland needs to be ending any discrimination towards same-sex couples or other people.”

Elsewhere, the agriculture and defence minister said he was open to an expansion of Irish troops operating in overseas missions. But this depended on any request from international bodies, such as the United Nations.

“I would like to see Ireland maintain if not increase the numbers of peacekeepers that we are providing for various missions around the world.”

He said our forces were “not a war-going army” but had proved effective in operating in conflict and post-conflict zones.

“It’s important that Ireland plays its role as a first world country in trying to stabilise conflict zones... that should be a significant part of our foreign affairs policy.

“I will be open to new challenges and new missions if requested.”

Ireland has 423 troops deployed in 13 countries.

But Mr Coveney also admitted that there was no appetite at a government level to increase the 9,500 personnel in the army.

His comments come as Irish peacekeepers operating under the UN in the Golan Heights are on high alert after rebels seized the Syrian side of the crossing to the Israeli-occupied territory and captured 43 UN peacekeepers.

Around 130 Irish troops are involved in the mission.