GLEN: Today a very special day for lesbian and gay couples

It is an historic day for lesbian and gay couples who are now legally entitled to get married in Ireland.

The last legal hurdle was cleared last week when Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald signed the commencement order for the Marriage Equality Act.

The new laws come into effect following the referendum vote in May, 62% voted to change the Constitution to allow for same-sex marriage.

Tiernan Brady, the Policy Director of equality group GLEN, says today is a very special day.

Mr Brady said: "I mean it's wonderful that we are at the end of an incredible journey. The referendum in particular became a real moment when all of Ireland began to see that there were lesbian and gay people in every family and every community, and that became clear in the ballot box.

"But today's a very special day for the couples in particular who have been married abroad until now, and today and in the afternoon will have their marriages finally recognised in Ireland."