The Irish government will hold off on a gay marriage
referendum until later next year, despite overwhelming support for
change from a powerful constitutional forum.
The
potentially divisive issue has been put on to the political agenda
after 79% of delegates at the Constitutional Convention voted in favour
of it.
It
is made up of 66 citizens, 33 politicians from both sides of the
border, and an independent chair, Tom Arnold.
Member politicians from
Northern Ireland include Louth TD Gerry Adams, Martin McGuinness and
Alban Mag.
Gay rights campaigners hailed the historic vote that
could pave the way for legislating for gay marriage in the Republic.
But
the Coalition is in no rush to hold a referendum on the issue as it
juggles other sensitive political issues including abortion and the
abolition of the Seanad.
Labour and Fine Gael are wary of running an
emotive campaign at the same time as local elections, which will be a
barometer of the Coalition's popularity come May next year.