The Marriage Act 2015 has been signed into law

Legislation to give full marriage rights to same sex couples has been signed into law this evening.

The Marriage Act 2015 was signed by the Presidential Commission, filling in for President Higgins who is continuing his visit to the United States.

The legislation now simply needs a commencement order from the Minister for Justice in order to allow full same-sex marriages to begin.

That commencement order is expected to be issued in the coming days, with marriages to begin in mid-November.