Political Parties

MarriagEquality strove to contact all political party and independent candidates to ensure their views towards marriage equality for LGBT people were captured. The view of election hopefuls who reverted to us are available in the following sections; By-Elections, European Elections and Local Elections. We hope they help inform your vote.

However, we wanted you to know how the 5 largest political parties view the issue of marriage equality for LGBT people. However, do research your independent candidates, generally they represent local or social issues and could take up your issues if pressed and let us know what their views are on marriage equality.

Below outlines the five political parties and their position on marriage equality.

Fianna Fáil Official Position

Fianna Fail supports the Government's proposed civil partnership scheme. In Government, Fianna Fail established the Colley Group that reviewed the issue of same-sex relationships and concluded that while marriage was the only means of providing equality for lesbian and gay people, current constitutional limitations mean that civil partnership would resolve many issues for same-sex couples. The then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern TD, speaking at the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network in Dublin in April 2006 stated that,

"All citizens regardless of sexual orientation stand equal in the eyes of our laws...Our laws have changed, and will continue to change, to reflect this principle."

Civil marriage, unions, or partnerships were not mentioned in Fianna Fail's 'Now, the Next Steps' manifesto for the 2007 General Election. However, the Programme for Government 2007-2012, which they agreed with the Green Party, states that they "will legislate for civil partnerships at the earliest possible date in the lifetime of the Government".

The same section of the Programme for Government also states that the Government is "committed to full equality for all in our society."

Individual Fianna Fail TDs have spoken in favour of civil partnership legislation in the Dail and Seanad in the last 18 months. Broadly speaking, some TDs and Senators are privately in favour of civil marriage for lesbian and gay people, while others are resolutely opposed.

Fine Gael Official Position

Fine Gael has expressed support for the introduction of civil partnership legislation. Their current party position - as outlined in their 2007 General Election Manifesto - states they are committed to creating a "Civil partnership Register to allow for two people of the same or opposite sex to formally register their partnership with the State."

Current Fine Gael Spokesperson on Justice, Charles Flanagan TD, has spoken passionately in the Dail about the need to introduce legal recognition of same-sex couples. Fine Gael is currently updating its policy in this regard and is openly engaging with MarriagEquality on an ongoing basis. It is likely they will formally endorse the Government's proposed civil partnership scheme.

Labour Party Official Position

The Labour Party is committed to full and unequivocal equality for lesbian and gay couples and is willing to call for a referendum on the issue of same-sex marriage should that be necessary. MarriagEquality does not believe that a referendum is necessary as this is a matter yet to be decided by the Supreme Court in the Zappone and Gilligan case.

The Labour Party supports the introduction of its Civil Unions Bill. This Bill provides "a status relationship equivalent to marriage for the benefit of people who are of the same-sex and who, under the current constitutional understanding of marriage, cannot marry each other." The Labour Bill provides the right for lesbian and gay couples to be considered as adoptive parents. The Labour Party has said the introduction of civil partnership will not provide equality for lesbian and gay people.

Labour first tabled their Civil Unions Bill in the Dail in February 2007, and again in November 2007. The Bill was defeated by a Government amendment on both occasions. Labour Party TDs and Senators have been meeting with MarriagEquality on an ongoing basis, at leadership level, and through the Labour LGBT group.

Green Party Official Position

The Green Party's official party position supports marriage equality for lesbian and gay people. Despite this fact, whilst in Government they are supporting the proposed Civil Partnership Legislation.

The Green Party negotiated the inclusion of a commitment to civil partnership legislation in the agreed Programme for Government 2007-2012 with Fianna Fail. The Green Party subsequently supported the proposed civil partnership scheme as a step towards marriage equality. Despite passing a motion at their party conference in 2008 supporting the introduction of civil partnership, the Green Party have assured MarriagEquality that as a party they are committed to achieving civil marriage for lesbian and gay people.

MarriagEquality continues to meet with senior Green Party representatives on an ongoing basis and will raise our concerns with them about the proposed civil partnership scheme as the legislation proceeds through the Oireachtas.

Sinn Féin Official Position

Sinn Fein, in the Oireachtas, supports civil marriage for lesbian and gay people. Sinn Fein supported the Labour Party's Civil Unions Bill when it was introduced in the Dail in February and November 2007. Sinn Fein has expressed public support for MarriagEquality's work and continues to liaise with the campaign on an ongoing basis.