Marriage Equality welcomes progress toward civil marriage for same sex couples

19 Mar 2013

CM bill launch Image via Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD

Today is the final day for submissions to the Constitutional Convention on the issue of ‘the provision of same-sex marriage’, and Marriage Equality have welcomed the high levels of support for marriage equality from people across Ireland and the Irish living overseas.  The organisation also welcomed the Labour Party’s launch of a new draft bill today, which seeks to amend the 2004 Civil Registration Act to remove the impediment in that Act for same sex couples to marry.

“We want to thank everyone who has shared their stories with the Convention and helped to make the heartfelt, personal case for marriage equality,” said Marriage Equality Director Moninne Griffith.  “We’d also like to congratulate Senator Ivana Bacik, Councillor Eoin Holmes and their colleagues in the Labour Party for their initiative to progress the issue of marriage equality. It is incredibly heartening to see such support for couples across Ireland who want to marry the person they love, and have their relationships recognised and protected on an equal footing to heterosexual couples.”

The Constitutional Convention, which will be looking at “the provision of same-sex marriage” at its next meeting on April 13th and 14th.  Earlier this year, Marriage Equality began a campaign to urge people to submit their suggestions, share their personal stories, and make their voices heard about the issue.  

“Now is the time for marriage equality,” added Ms Griffith.  “Today’s marriage equality bill could be introduced to Government after Easter, and coupled with the upcoming Constitutional Convention, we have a golden opportunity to take the next step as a modern, democratic country that has respect for diversity and that believes in equality for all families.  We look forward to working with the members of the Constitutional Convention and all supporters of marriage equality 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.”

ENDS

Marriage Equality’s submission to the Constitutional Convention can be accessed here:
http://www.marriagequality.ie/download/pdf/final_me_constitutional_convention_submission.pdf