OUR LATEST ISSUE
Ireland catches up on subject of same-sex unions
Irish flag
Massive majority of citizens in favour on eve of legislation
For many years the Republic of Ireland dragged behind most Western European nations in areas like abortion, divorce and gay rights. That's now no longer true with latest research showing that a vast majority of the population supporting the idea of legal partnerships between same-sex couples.
A massive 84% of people polled on behalf of pressure group MarriageEquality stated their support for gay marriage or civil partnerships as the Irish government gears up to announce its proposals on same-sex unions. They have already ruled out marriage as they claim it would be divisive in the strongly Catholic country and that it would require changes to the constitution, which pledges "to guard with special care the institution of marriage, on which the family is founded, and protect it against attack". Opponents have stated that this wording does not exclude the concept of gay marriage. The expectation, however, is that the Irish government will back a UK-style civil partnership system and, like the UK, will recognise partnerships carried out overseas.
Justice Minister Brian Lenihan, the man at the sharp end of new legislation, has been a vocal supporter of gay equality, and is quoted as saying, "This government... is committed to full equality of opportunity for all in our society. In particular, we are committed to providing a more supportive and secure legal environment for same-sex couples."
