Reilly: No side ‘using children as pawns’ in marriage equality referendum

Children’s Minister James Reilly has accused the no side in the marriage equality referendum of a “bogus and misleading” approach by using children as pawns to spread fear.

Speaking at an Adoption Authority seminar on the implications of the Children and Family Relationships Act for adoption practice, Mr Reilly said the planned legislation had “nothing to do with the referendum”.

“There is nothing to fear from treating every committed, long-term relationship equally,” said Mr Reilly. “You do not dilute a right by extending it. Children should not be used as pawns by campaigners in this referendum to spread fear.”