Historic Marriage Equality Support From Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore TD

1 Jul 2012

Merrion Square, Dublin: Below follows a statement by Moninne Griffith, Director of Marriage Equality, a national not for profit organisation working for equality for same sex couples, families and their children through access to civil marriage welcoming Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore's statement of support for marriage equality today.

"Today the Tánaiste, the second most senior politician in Ireland, became the first government minister to publically add his voice to the 73% of Irish people who believe that same sex couples, our families and our children deserve equality. With today's statement, he joins the growing majority of Irish people who believe in truly Irish values of justice, equality, fairness, and respect for difference and diversity."

"As the most senior member of Government to declare marriage equality an important issue, the Tánaiste's full public support marks an historic point in our campaign for equality. But we have a lot of work ahead of us. The Government will soon be launching its Constitutional Convention, to look at, amongst other issues, the provision of same-sex marriage.

"We look forward to having the full support of the Tánaiste as we work with the Constitutional Convention to protect same sex couples and families, and to ensure that they are treated equally under the law by enshrining marriage equality in the Irish Constitution."

Click here for a transcript of the Tánaiste's statement