21/05/2015

Call For Gates Of Dublin Castle To Open During Marriage Equality Referendum Results

The Minister for the Office and Public Works is being called to open the gates of Dublin Castle as the results of the Marriage Equality Referendum are announced.

In a letter to Minister Simon Harris, Fianna Fáil Leader on Dublin City Council, Councillor Paul McAuliffe said there are 'hundreds' of people who have been heavily involved in the campaign on both sides over the past few months, who have now been told they will have no access to Dublin Castle when the results are announced.

Mr McAuliffe said: "All eyes will be on Dublin Castle on Saturday as the results of this historic referendum are announced. One of the most striking things about this campaign has been the huge number of people with no affiliation to any political party that have got involved in a political debate for the first time. It is only right that they are given a place to gather and hear the results as they come in."

"Votes will be counted in centres around the country but the official result will be declared in St Patrick's Hall of Dublin Castle by the National Returning Officer. The announcement is usually attended by senior political figures in the small confines of Dublin Castle, but the hall itself simply isn't large enough to accommodate the numbers of people who want to be there."

(CD/JP)

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