Constitutional Convention Votes In Favour Of Marriage Equality

The Sinn Féin delegates to the Constitutional Convention have welcomed the deliberative body's decisive vote of 79% in favour of removing any possibility of constitutional discrimination against LGBT citizens by explicitly recognising the equal right of these citizens to civil marriage.

Mary Lou McDonald TD, who is representing the party along with Senator Kathryn Reilly and MLA Caitriona Ruane said: "The decisive result of the Convention vote is a real cause for celebration. This is a landmark moment for equal rights in Ireland. The clear direction from the Convention is to recommend amendment of a constitutional provision that has been used to discriminate against LGBT citizens and their families. The proposed change would allow Ireland to join the thirteen other countries around the world that have recognised marriage equality rights. This will make a real positive difference to the lives of Irish LGBT citizens and their children. The Government now needs to move quickly to progress this proposal to referendum without delay. I want to congratulate all those who worked so hard to make this moment happen, and to acknowledge the generally respectful tone on all sides of the debate at the Convention."

The three Sinn Féin delegates voted in favour of amending the Constitution to include an express positive obligation on the State to give effect to a guarantee of marriage equality and to the equal rights of the children of these marriages.

(CD/IT)