Marriage amendment lost in translation

The Irish version of the marriage equality amendment to the Constitution needs to be rewritten.

The wording is: “Féadfaidh beirt, cibé acu is fir nó mná iad, conradh a dhéanamh i leith pósadh de réir dlí.” This can be rendered in English as: “Two persons, whether they be men or women, may contract in relation to marriage in accordance with law.”

On the plain meaning of these words, two men or two women may marry. The sentence is silent in relation to a man wishing to marry a woman, and in relation to persons of intersex identity.

Also, contracting in relation to marriage is not the same thing as contracting to get married: “conradh a dhéanamh chun pósadh”.

What a mess. This underlines the need for the drafters of legislation to engage lawyer-linguists to proof-read such texts.

A more professional approach is warranted from our parliamentary draftspersons.

Dáithí Mac Cárthaigh BL

An Leabharlann Dlí

Baile Átha Cliath 7