Minister rules out prospect of legal gay marriages
Saturday December 01 2007
THE GOVERNMENT yesterday ruled out the introduction of legally recognised gay marriage -- in the way that marriage is defined by the Constitution.
Minister of State for Equality Sean Power, said the special protection afforded to marriage under the Constitution meant it could not legislate to re-define marriage to include same-sex couples.
He said: "In Ireland, the special protection afforded to marriage under Article 41.3.1 of the Constitution means it is not possible to legislate in certain ways -- either to simply redefine marriage to encompass same-sex couples, or to define a new status relationship directly by reference to marriage."
At a national symposium on gay marriage and partnership rights, he stated the main question was how to extend greater recognition under the law for gay and lesbian couples while respecting the current constitution.
However Mr Power repeated the Government's commitment towards bringing a Bill on civil partnership for same sex couples early next year.
Equality
The National Lesbian and Gay Federation (NLGF), which organised the symposium with support from the Equality Authority, said the right to marriage equality was an issue of primary importance for lesbian and gay people in Ireland.
Following the discussion, Ailbhe Smyth, chair of the NLGF, said the group is setting up a platform of different interest groups to campaign for equal marriage rights.
Ms Smyth said Mr Power's remarks were close to those made by Justice Minister Brian Lenihan when the government opposed a Labour Party Bill on civil unions.
However Ms Smyth said it was disappointing to "find a blanket 'no' to marriage being put out there from the outset".
The federation said legal experts were divided as to whether there were constitutional issues which would affect any attempts to introduce civil marriage for same-sex couples.
Ms Smyth said: "Civil marriage is still the aim and goal of the organisation involved in working on this issue."
Civil partnership would be a step but not equality for all, she reiterated.
"The onus now is on the government to be specific as to why they are continuing to discriminate," she said.
Anything less than full rights for same-sex couples, including marriage, would be a denial of full equality, John Fisher of the gay rights organisation, ARC International, said.
- Louise Hogan
