Human rights watchdog in favour of gay marriage

The State’s independent human rights watchdog has come out strongly in favour of extending marriage to gay people.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission said such a move — as proposed in a forthcoming referendum — was “a matter of equality and human rights”.

Chief Commissioner Emily Logan said the current constitutional position as interpreted by the Supreme Court — restricting marriage to that between a man and a woman — does not provide “full recognition and equality” for same-sex couples.