Tánaiste rules out ‘conscience clause’ for firms opposed to marriage equality

Tánaiste Joan Burton has ruled out a so-called "conscience clause" for business people who are opposed to marriage equality.

The Labour leader said companies should not be able to withhold goods or services on the grounds that they do not agree with extending civil marriage rights to same-sex couples.

Ms Burton rejected calls by Archbishop of Dublin Diarmuid Martin for people to be able to “opt out” on religious grounds if they had “problems of conscience” if marriage equality is approved in the May 22 referendum.