Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has announced the wording of the proposed Thirty-Fourth Amendment to the Constitution on Marriage Equality. The Minister also stated that her department is preparing an Implementation Bill to present to Government which addresses the changes needed to primary legislation if the referendum is passed.
Last week Government approved the Thirty-Fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015, which contains the wording for the upcoming referendum on whether or not to grant same-sex couples the right to marry. The Bill proposes to amend the Constitution by inserting a new section into Article 41 stating: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.” If passed, the new section will become Article 41.4.
Government is also separately preparing an Implementation Bill which will address the changes to legislation that will be needed if the referendum is passed. The General Scheme of the Implementation Bill will be brought to Government and published in February. The Bill will include amendments to primary legislation, such as the Civil Registration Acts, which restrict marriage only to opposite-sex couples. The Bill will also address the situation of civil partnership and will update the terminology of existing legislation to reflect the new provision.
The Minister stated: “The issue is one of equality, Marriage Equality. It is about removing the barriers which deny some couples the chance of marrying and of having relationships that are constitutionally protected…. Ultimately it is for the people of Ireland to decide. I hope we can have a constructive and respectful debate which will help to inform and engage citizens on this important issue. I would encourage everyone entitled to vote in these referendums to participate fully in our democracy by ensuring that they are registered to vote and to go to the polls in May”
The Referendum Commission will be established next week by the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. In May, two constitutional amendments will be put to referendum, on marriage equality and on whether or not to reduce the minimum age of presidential candidates from 35 years to 21 years. It has been announced that there will be no vote on the reduction of voting age or on blasphemy.
Click here to read the press release from the Department of Justice and Equality.
[Note: Bill to be published by the end of the week ending 25/01/15]