Marriage equality referendum debate to get ‘divisive’

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney has predicted that the debate over the marriage equality referendum will become “aggressive and divisive” in the closing days of the campaign.

The Cork TD, who is Fine Gael’s referendum campaign director, accused the no side of “scaring” voters and “using children to frighten” them into voting against the introduction of same-sex marriage.

Senior figures within the Coalition, which advocates a yes vote, yesterday conceded the result could be close, despite polls putting the yes side in the lead with over two thirds of voters. Ex-tánaiste Eamon Gilmore said the polls may be “tight and the poll may be low”.

READ MORE: AUDIO: Donegal priest to vote Yes in Marriage Equality Referendum

Mr Coveney, speaking to the Irish Examiner, said claims about a low turnout may just be to entice more people to vote yes.

He criticised claims by the no campaign that children’s rights would be affected if the referendum is passed.

“They are deliberately scaring people. They are using children to frighten people in a way that is totally inaccurate. The Referendum Commission has already said that the status of children will not be affected.”

He said it was not acceptable for people to be “locked out of an institution [marriage] because of their sexual orientation” and that’s what the vote was about.

Parenting and children as well as the issue of surrogacy are all separate issues, he said, adding that using surrogacy as a reason to oppose the referendum was “highly irresponsible”.

READ MORE: Marriage Equality Referendum: No campaign does not value each child

Mr Coveney conceded that the yes side was concerned about getting its message out, particularly to people in elderly communities.

“In general, we have a fight on our hands and a job to reassure people. The reaction is mixed. People under 45 are almost all unanimously yes, including those in their 20s and late teens signing up to vote. They all have friends and relatives who are gay and don’t feel accepted.

“Older people are struggling to get their head around why they are being asked to make a decision. Others are just uncomfortable with gay people. For some, it is a journey they have travelled on to understand.”

Asked what the final days of the campaign will bring ahead of the vote on May 22, Mr Coveney said: “It will be aggressive and divisive as both sides will be anxious to get their points across.”

With regards to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who has not taken part in campaign debates so far, Mr Coveneysaid a “lot will be heard from him” in the coming days.

The yes campaign was boosted yesterday by the announcement that Sister Stan — Stanislaus Kennedy — will be voting for same-sex marriage.

Meanwhile, the Government was accused of dropping the ball on a second vote on May 22, on whether to reduce the age of candidates eligible to run for president.

Jim O’Callaghan, Fianna Fáil’s legal adviser, said: “This has been the most inept referendum campaign ever run in the history of the State.”

READ MORE: VIDEO: TD asked to remove Yes Equality badge live on RTÉ chat show

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