The Constitutional Convention has passed a vote calling for a referendum on same-sex marriage.
The
Convention decided to recommend that the Constitution be changed to
allow for civil marriage for same-sex couples, with 79 of the 100
members in favour of the motion.
Nineteen delegates voted against, with one 'no opinion'.
A report will now be drafted and the recommendations of the Constitutional Convention will now go to Government.
After
the report is officially sent to the Oireachtas, the Government are
committed to responding within four months by way of a debate in the
Oireachtas and if it agrees with the recommendation to amend the
Constitution, to include a timeframe for a referendum.
The result was announced by Convention Chairman Tom Arnold, to applause from the floor.
“I
would like to thank all of the participants who contributed to the
Constitutional Convention’s same-sex marriage discussion," Mr Arnold
commented.
"I am very pleased that proceedings were conducted in a
fair and transparent manner with all sides getting an opportunity to
make their respective cases.
"This weekend’s discussions have been both passionate and thoughtful, both heartfelt and rigorous.”
The
Constitutional Convention on the Constitution is a forum of 100 people
representative of Irish society, established by the Oireachtas to
consider and make recommendations on topics as possible future
amendments to the Constitution.
Speaking after the result, Mark Kelly of the Irish Council of Civil Liberties said it’s now up to the government to act quickly.
Michelle Mulherin, Fine Gael TD for Mayo, says the matter will now be considered by Government.
The
next meeting of the Constitutional Convention will consider the Dáil
electoral system and the way in which we elect our politicians.