Same-sex marriage - Convention vote can’t be ignored

After the weekend constitutional convention voted in favour — a 79% endorsement — of extending civil marriage rights to same-sex couples, conservative senator Rónán Mullen suggested that the integrity of the convention had been compromised because the debate was a “flawed process”.

Presumably he might regard the process as a little less flawed if it concurred with his own, narrow world view. His Pavlovian efforts to undermine the process, little more than a talking shop empowered to make recommendations government can ignore or act on, can be seen for what they really are and are already, thankfully, irrelevant. That he, usually a voice for unwavering Catholicism, should berate lobbyists for bringing pressure to bear — if they did so — is utterly laughable considering the intimidation, and that is indeed the right word, of so many Dáil deputies by “pro-life” telephone campaigns.

In response, Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore has said he does not envisage any difficulties in holding a referendum on same-sex marriage. That position was echoed by Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence Alan Shatter who said there was a “reasonable prospect” that the Government would decide to hold a referendum before the next election.

So, all going well and unless the Government decides to ignore one of the first recommendations of the much-vaunted Constitutional Convention, we will in the not too distant future get to vote on the issue. Should the result mirror the weekend vote, though it is hard to imagine such a sweeping majority, Senator Mullen may well decide that process is flawed too.

When the Government promised a forum for citizens and politicians to review the Constitution it might have preferred if the issues raised were less contentious, less confrontational but now Taoiseach Kenny and his colleagues can proceed with a referendum arguing that they are doing no more than reflecting the wishes expressed at the convention. When they do it might go some way to restoring the link between politics and the lives we actually lead in this country rather than the dancing-at-the-crossroads fantasies we continue to pretend are real. If they do not they will turn what is today merely cynicism into something far more toxic.

Last February the House of Commons voted overwhelming to allow same-sex couples to marry in Britain and the consequential legislation is anticipated next year. In his second inauguration speech, in Washington last January, President Barack Obama pinpointed marriage rights for gays and lesbians as a legislative priority for his second term. This is considerable progress as just a few decades ago active homosexuality was still punishable by a jail sentence.

It would be foolish to pretend though that this is not a deeply divisive issue and whatever the amendment to the Constitution might propose it must contain safeguards for those whose beliefs preclude them supporting same-sex marriage. After all it would be more than ironic if an attempt to advance human rights was to impinge on religious freedoms. Especially as religious beliefs have deeply influenced or controlled civic life for centuries.