LGBT group welcomes Tánaiste comments on same sex marriage referendum

The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network has welcomed a speech by the Tánaiste in which he said a referendum on same sex marriage could take place next year.

Speaking at an LGBT event at Google headquarters in Dublin yesterday, Eamon Gilmore said the vote could 'realistically' be held in 2014.

The Constitutional Convention will present its report on same sex marriage to the Government in the coming weeks - after which the Government will have four months to decide how to proceed.

Director of GLEN Brian Sheehan, said he is delighted with the Tánaiste's statement - and he expects the referendum to pass.

"I suppose it’s the culmination of over many years for what we would call full constitutional equality for lesbian and gay couples and families," he said.

"The Tánaiste's statement yesterday was a very welcome indicator of the next step in progress for that."