An anti-gay senator has said the Ireland constitutional convention voting in favor of marriage equality was ‘flawed’.Rónán Mullen, an independent politician, has said senators were made to feel bad if they did not take the ‘politically correct’ position.
The 100 convention members casted their historic votes on 14 April in Dublin with 79 voting in favor of marriage equality.
A referendum is now being planned to introduce same-sex marriage to Ireland.
Speaking to Morning Ireland, Mullen said: ‘I felt it was a case of nice people but a very flawed process.’
He said the documents the delegates were given did not cover the ‘relevant issues’, for example the impact of changing the constitution to include same-sex marriage, and whether adoption and assisted reproduction would be affected.
Mullen said when it comes to adoption, heterosexual couples should be given preference over homosexual couples.
He said: ‘It was very noticeable that those advocating for same-sex marriage are very creative people, talented people, very nice people indeed and very well resourced I would think.
‘It was an excellent presentation that operated very well at the emotional level of persuasion.
He added: ‘I have a particular view that marriage has a special value because of the role of fathers and mothers and the upbringing of children.’
Labour Senator Ivana Bacik slammed Mullen’s views, saying on Twitter: ‘Those who disagree with outcome of #ccven vote on #marriageequality now say process was flawed. They just can't accept democratic decision!’
Ireland’s government must now hold a full debate on same-sex marriage within four months.
Deputy prime minister Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore welcomed the vote as a sign of progress, saying: ‘I have always believed that our laws reflect the past, not the future on this issue. It’s not the role of the State to pass judgment on who a person falls in love with, or who they want to spend their life with’.
The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network director Brian Sheehan hailed the vote as historic and said it is ‘a major milestone on the remarkable journey’ towards full equality.
A spokesperson for the Catholic Church told RTE news: ‘While the result of the Constitutional Convention is disappointing only the people of Ireland can amend the Constitution. The Catholic Church will continue to promote and see protection for the uniqueness of marriage between a woman and a man, the nature of which best serves children and our society’.