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To permit marriage to be contracted by two persons without distinction as to their sex | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Results | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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 How the electorate voted, by constituency. Proportion of the valid poll votingyes:
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| Source:Iris Oifigiúil[1] | ||||||||||||||||||||||
TheThirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Act 2015 (previouslybill no. 5 of 2015)amended theConstitution of Ireland to permit marriage to be contracted by two persons without distinction as to their sex.[2] Prior to the enactment, the Constitution was assumed to contain an implicit prohibition onsame-sex marriage in Ireland.[3] It was approved at areferendum on 22 May 2015 by 62% of voters on a turnout of 61%.[1][4] This was the first time that a state legalisedsame-sex marriage through a popular vote.[5][6] Two legal challenges regarding the conduct of the referendum were dismissed on 30 July by theCourt of Appeal,[7] and the bill was signed into law by thePresident of Ireland on 29 August.[8] An amendment to theMarriage Act 2015 provided for marriages permitted by the new constitutional status. The act came into force on 16 November 2015; the first same-sex marriage ceremony was held on 17 November 2015.[9]
The amendment inserted a new section 4 to Article 41 of the Constitution. The English text reads:
4. Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.
The Irish text reads:
4. Féadfaidh beirt, gan beann ar a ngnéas, conradh pósta a dhéanamh de réir dlí.
The text in Irish and English is intended to have the same meaning; in the event of a conflict, the Irish version takes precedence.[10][11]
The Irish text of the amendment asintroduced was:[12]
4. Féadfaidh beirt, cibé acu is fir nó mná iad, conradh a dhéanamh i leith pósadh de réir dlí.
JournalistBruce Arnold argued against the bill in two articles inThe Irish Times, one of which focused on alleged issues with the Irish text.[10][13] Arnold argued that the Irish text describesonly same-sex couples, thus rendering opposite-sex marriage illegal.[10] Government sources pointed out the words impugned by Arnold (beirt andcibé acu is fir nó mná) are already used with similar intent elsewhere in the constitution.[14] Counterpoints from legal academics were that Arnold'sstrict constructionist interpretation would be trumped by thedoctrine of absurdity, and that failure to mention opposite-sex marriage would not make it illegal.[14] Some argued that the Irish text should nevertheless be changed to remove all doubts.[14]Enda Kenny announced on 10 March 2015 that such a change would be made.[15]Frances Fitzgerald moved the amendment in the Dáil the following day.[16]
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Katherine Zappone andAnn Louise Gilligan losta case in theHigh Court in 2006 for the recognition by Ireland of theirCanadian same-sex marriage.[17] TheCivil Partnership and Certain Rights and Obligations of Cohabitants Act 2010 institutedcivil partnership in Irish law. After the2011 general election, theFine Gael andLabour parties formeda coalition government, whose programme included the establishment of aConstitutional Convention to examine potential changes on specified issues, including "Provision for the legalisation of same-sex marriage". The Convention considered the issue in May 2013 and voted to recommend that the state should be required, rather than merely permitted, to allow for same-sex marriage.[18] Its report was formally submitted in July and the government formally responded in December, whenTaoiseachEnda Kenny said a referendum would be held "no later than mid-2015".[19] All amendments to theIrish constitution must be approved by the people in a referendum before becoming law.
Some legal academics claimed that extending marriage to same-sex couples did not require a constitutional amendment and could have been accomplished by an ordinaryAct of the Oireachtas.[20][21] Then-minister Shatter disagreed in November 2013, stating that there was "amplecase law" to the effect that "marriage is understood as being between one man and one woman".[3]
In January 2015, the wording of the proposed amendment was agreed at a special cabinet meeting and published in the press, and the bill was formally introduced in the Dáil by theMinister for Justice and Equality,Frances Fitzgerald.[22][23]
A separateChildren and Family Relationships Act 2015 was passed in April 2015. This included adoption rights for same-sex couples – prior to the passing of the Act, single gay or lesbian people, or one of the partners in a same-sex couple could adopt, but joint adoption by both partners was not possible.[24] The general scheme of this bill was published for consultation in January 2014,[25] and in 2015 it was passed by the Dáil on 12 March and the Seanad on 30 March, andsigned into law on 6 April.[26][27] As of May 2018[update] the legislation has only partially beencommenced.[28]
Two referendums were held on 22 May 2015, on the marriage bill andanother constitutional amendment, to reduce the age of candidacy for the presidency.[29][30] Referendums need a simple majority of the votes cast to pass. A Dáilby-election in Carlow–Kilkenny was held on the same day.[29]
According to theReferendum Commission, if the referendum were to be passed:[31]
The Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015 was debated in the Dáil on 10 and 11 March 2015. Several deputies from different parties spoke in favour. The only speaker to oppose it was independent TDMattie McGrath; it was passed without adivision (i.e., by voice vote). It was then debated in the Seanad on 25 and 27 March. Votes were held on a number of proposed amendments, all of which were defeated, and the Bill was finally passed by 29 votes to three. Among those speaking in favour was Katherine Zappone, who was aSenator at the time. Those who voted against were SenatorsRónán Mullen,Jim Walsh andFeargal Quinn; the opposition amendments were also supported by SenatorFidelma Healy Eames.[33]
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All four main parties in the Dáil supported the bill: the governing Fine Gael and Labour, and the oppositionFianna Fáil andSinn Féin. Members of theGreen Party,Anti-Austerity Alliance,People Before Profit Alliance,Workers' Party and independents are also on record in support of the amendment.[34] "Yes Equality" was an umbrella campaign byGay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN), theIrish Council for Civil Liberties and Marriage Equality.[35]
Religious bodies in Ireland officially adopted a range of stances to the referendum, though the official church positions were either neutral or in opposition.
The Catholic Church did not take an official position on the referendum and the Pope did not make any direct comments on his stance. However, there were a number of bishops and priests that shared differing views publicly.
In the lead up to the referendum, ArchbishopDiarmuid Martin confirmed that while he planned to vote No, he was not affiliated with any No campaign and had "never told people how to vote" and encouraged "everyone to vote and to reflect carefully".[36] Shortly before the referendum,Eamon Martin urged Catholics to reflect on their decision but avoided telling members how to vote.[37]
In December 2014 theIrish Catholic Bishops' Conference shared their opposition on same-sex marriage, and distributed a booklet to all parishes.[38][39] The Bishops' document stated that marriage "provides for the continuation of the human race and the development of human society". It posited that same sex marriage would "redefine the nature of marriage" and "undermine it as the fundamental building block of our society." When the document was launched, theBishop of ClogherLiam MacDaid shared that the intention was to outline the "Christian understanding of marriage.".[40] However the interest of a Church in a No vote was called into question by some, with theIrish Catholic noting only 10% of Irish Catholics were expected to receive the leaflet.[41]
Opposition to same sex marriage was not a view universally held within the Irish Catholic clergy andThe Irish Times reporting that there was "significant disquiet" from parish clergy about the impact of the bishops stance on gay people and on the church.[42]
From January onwards, a number of Catholic priests started to publicly express disappointment with the approach taken by the bishops in opposing same sex civil marriage and/or support of a Yes vote. In January Fr. Martin Dolan,Roman Catholic priest at theChurch of St Nicholas of Myra came out to his congregation and called on their support in voting Yes in the referendum.[43][44]Augustinian Catholic priest Fr. Iggy O' Donovan shortly followed in openly declaring his intention to vote for same-sex marriage. Writing in a national newspaper he shared that while churches can have different views and variations of those views, in referendums "we legislate for ALL our fellow citizens". He encouraged others to "remember the difference between civil and religious law."[45] Later speaking to theIrish Independent, he expressed that while he believed in "Catholic teaching on marriage", following years of pastoral work with gay Catholics, he felt that other peoples different views should be respected, and he should not be imposing his own on them. He also said we should be sensitive to get things right, referencing the scandal surroundingCardinal Keith O' Brien[46] who had been one of the loud proponents against homosexuality and same sex marriage, but later faced allegations of sexual misconduct from fellow priests[47][48] and was reported to have been in a long-term same-sex relationship.[49]
In March 2015 theAssociation of Catholic Priests, representing more than 1000 Irish priests, declared it would not take a position in the referendum.[50] This decision was taken following member consultation with a released statement saying "The ACP asserts the particular responsibility that devolves on priests to measure their words carefully, and not to direct their parishioners to vote Yes or No."[51]
In May the Catholic Bishops Conference shared a message entitled 'Care for the Covenant of Marriage’ where ArchbishopEamon Martin reiterating the bishops position on the referendum. In this message he said "The Irish bishops have already said that we cannot support an amendment to the Constitution which redefines marriage and effectively places the union of two men, or two women, on a par with the marriage relationship between a husband and wife which is open to the procreation of children."[52] Eamon Martin did not explicitly call for a No vote but expressed concerns about the consequence of a Yes vote.[53]
As the referendum drew closer, more priests shared their support for a Yes vote including Fr. Gerald Moloney who wrote of his intention in the Irish Times. He expressed that while he viewed marriage as a sacrament he felt "citizens of the State" could decide "how they define marriage and who can enter it".[54]Gweedore priest Fr. Brian Ó Fearraigh announced his support for a Yes vote, making the decision as he felt the referendum gave "statutory recognition and protection to the relationships of people regardless of their sex".[55] As more priests announced their intentions to vote Yes, theWashington Post reported on the growing number of Irish priests coming out against the stance of the church leadership in Ireland.[56]
TheChurch of Ireland announced in February 2015 that it would not be taking a stance on the referendum, instead encouraging members to vote according to their conscience.[57][58] A spokesperson for the church said that while marriage between one man and one woman was the "basis on which the Church's liturgy for marriage is used" the Church "also recognises that a state has a duty and responsibility to legislate for its citizens". He encouraged members of the Church to vote "when the State consults on matters, such as the civil definition of marriage."[59]
Two Church of Ireland bishops had publicly called for a Yes vote. As early as May 2014,Paul Colton, Church of IrelandBishop of Cork, Cloyne and Ross, had signalled his support for a yes vote.[60] He was joined by the Rt RevdMichael Burrows of Cashel, Ferns & Ossory in April 2015.[61] Speaking at the School ofEcunemics atTrinity College he said "...all too often we have allowed ourselves to be left behind defending the essentially indefensible". He declared his intention to vote yes for same sex marriage, saying it would be "a contribution to a fairer and more truly equal Ireland" and "I cannot see any way in which it could be considered repugnant to the common good, or indeed to the vital role of the family". The Rev Canon Ginnie Kennerley, who had been the first womancathedral canon in Ireland,[62] also supported a Yes vote, saying there were "conflicts between factuality and scripture". She said "There has always been disagreement on what is and is not permitted by the bible," and mentioned these conflicts had always existed "...over the flat earth, over slavery, over evolution, over apartheid, over the position of women."[61]
In March 2015Ferran Glenfield, an evangelicalChurch of Ireland bishop,[63][50] signalled his support for a No Vote in the referendum.
On 7 May, at aChanging Attitude Ireland event, formerArchdeacon of Dublin,Gordon Linney said "We are being given an opportunity on May 22 finally to show the gay community that we value them for who they are. We welcome them as they are fully into society and so give them the recognition they are entitled to and that those who are in stable relationships and wish to marry should be allowed to do so. Marriage is a civil contract. No church will be forced to solemnise any union it does not approve of."[64]
On 22 April 2015, the leaders of thePresbyterian Church in Ireland issued a statement advocating a no vote, saying "the change proposed in the same-sex marriage referendum denies the rights of children and the natural responsibilities of a father and a mother in nurturing them".[65]
On 15 April a petition was initiated by religious groups including theIslamic Cultural Centre of Ireland, theIrish Council of Imams, and the Galway branch of theReformed Presbyterian Church on 15 April called for a "conscience clause", this which would allow individuals and businesses to discriminate against same-sex couples in the provision of goods and services. In response, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said: "The Government has made its decision very clear here in respect to the question that the people will be asked on the 22nd of May. That question of course is to give their approval, if they see fit and I hope they do, to allow for marriage in civil law irrespective of sexual orientation." Labour TDBrendan Howlin said "The one issue at the core of this referendum is equality under the Constitution and anything else is extraneous."[66]
TheIslamic Centre in Ireland issued a statement on the referendum 17 April stating that "As Muslims we must believe in equality and inclusiveness. People should not be discriminated for any reason. It is important to humanise people and not to de humanise. The Islamic tradition teaches to hate the sin but not the sinner. The attitude of some Muslims towards homosexuals is incompatible with the spirit of mercy and kindness in Islam. The Irish constitution guarantees all Irish citizens the freedom of conscience and Muslims must exercise this right when voting on 22nd May 2015."[67]
In February 2015, theMethodist Church in Ireland issued a statement supporting the traditional view of marriage as being between a man and woman.[68]
In December 2015, Dr. Richard O'Leary ofChurch of Ireland LGBT groupChanging Attitude Ireland challenged the Catholic Bishops Conference definition of marriage saying that "view of marriage as being essentially about reproduction rather than being primarily a loving stable relationship was contrary to how many Christians understood their own marriages.” In January, the group welcomed the publication of the wording of the Referendum text saying that marriage should be "available to couples without distinction as to their sex", just as civil marriage "may be contracted by two persons without distinction as to their race or religion".[57] Changing Attitude had been one of the first groups to welcome the referendum back in May 2014, then noting that "In the forthcoming referendum on marriage Christians will be campaigning on both sides".[69]
In January 2015, Irishlay Catholic groupWe Are Church Ireland gave its "unanimous support" for a Yes vote in the referendum.[70] They stated that "loving, committed relationships between two consenting adults should be treated equally by the Irish State, regardless of gender or sexual orientation." Spokesperson Brendan Butler shared "The proposed referendum will not redefine marriage but rather refine it to make it more inclusive and so enhance the meaning of marriage".[41]
In February 2015, the Faith in Marriage Equality (FiME) group was founded. This inter-faith coalition group included Changing Attitudes Ireland, We Are Church Ireland and Gay Catholic Voice Ireland to represent people of faith voting Yes in the referendum. Richard O' Leary representing Changing Attitude Ireland said "So far we haven’t heard the voices of people of faith saying that they will be voting yes and that this is consistent with their faith's values. "Our understanding of faith is that marriage is based on love and commitment and this is the case for heterosexual and same-sex couples."[71][72]Retired Archdeacon Gordon Linney joined the launch event to call for a Yes vote. Calling it a "civil matter" he said "Personally, I think the claim of the churches to own marriage in any sense just doesn't stand up because marriage was there long, long before there was ever a Christian church."[73]
TheIona Institute, a right-wing conservative mainly-Catholic religious think tank, also opposed the amendment.[72]
In Match 2015, a cross-denominational group issued a leaflet urging a No vote. Approximately 50 clergy and lay signed the leaflet, includingBishop of ElphinKevin Doran (Roman Catholic Church),Bishop of Kilmore, Elphin and ArdaghFerran Glenfield, andArchdeacon of Raphoe David Huss (bothChurch of Ireland); along with clergy and lay from the Methodist, Presbyterian and various Pentecostal churches.[73]
Many business groups advocated for the passing of the referendum. On 16 April,Business for Yes Equality launched, with high-profile companies such as Twitter, eBay, PayPal and 150 Irish-based international and local companies joining.[74][75] Stephen McIntyre, MD of Twitter in Ireland, said "As I see it, this case has three key elements. First, people perform better in the long run when they can be themselves. Second, talent is attracted to organisations which demonstrate an appreciation for diversity, inclusiveness and equality. Finally, Ireland's international reputation as a good place to do business will be enhanced by a Yes vote."[76] Martin Shanahan, the head ofIDA Ireland, the Industrial Development Authority, called for a Yes vote on 1 May, saying "A Yes vote on May 22 would tell the business world that Ireland is open, inclusive and welcomes diversity and that would be a very positive message to be sending internationally."[77] He also said he believed that a No vote would send a negative signal to international businesses.[78]
Also on 1 May, theIrish Congress of Trade Unions announced its support for the Yes campaign with the launch of its "Trade unions for civil marriage equality" campaign.[79] Other trade unions and staff representative associations supporting a Yes vote included the Garda Representative Association,Mandate, and Ireland's largest trade unionSIPTU.[80][81][82]
On 7 May,eBay CEOJohn Donahoe announced that the company was backing a Yes vote. Donahoe said that its position on equality issues such as same-sex marriage, in addition to being "the right thing to do", also helps the company attract, retain and develop the right people.[83]
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Other prominent groups to support the referendum included a coalition of Ireland's main children's charities called "BeLonG To Yes". Constituent organisations include theISPCC, Barnardos, Foróige, Youth Work Ireland, the Migrant Rights Centre, Headstrong, Yes Equality, the Children's Rights Alliance,Pavee Point, EPIC and theNational Youth Council of Ireland. Speaking at the launch,Fergus Finlay said they had come together to call for a Yes vote in part because groups within the No campaign were "using children as pawns" and that every time he saw a poster calling for a No vote because "every child deserves a mother and father", he saw "a sickening insult to the thousands of lone parents and children who love and care for each other in Ireland. The message is exploitative, hurtful and dishonest. What every child deserves is love, respect, safety. That can come from two parents of either sex, two parents of the same-sex, or a single parent."[84][85] TheUnion of Students in Ireland, then led byLaura Harmon, launched its "Students for Marriage Equality" campaign in January together with its dedicated website,voteforlove.ie.[86]
Amnesty International launched their "Let's Make History"[87] campaign for marriage equality on 22 March 2015 to thousands of people outside the historicGeneral Post Office, Dublin.[88] Speakers includedColm O'Gorman,Pat Carey,Sabina Brennan, Gavin Brennan and Grace Dyas.
On 5 May, the "Yes for Health" campaign was launched by Liam Doran, general secretary of theIrish Nurses and Midwives Organisation and Kieran Ryan, CEO of theIrish College of General Practitioners. Speaking at the launch,Minister for HealthLeo Varadkar said that a No vote would be a "big step backwards" for the country, and that it would have an adverse effect on the mental health of members of the LGBT community.[89] The following day, theNational Women's Council of Ireland and launched their 'Yes' campaign. The launch was attended by representatives of various groups, including the Irish Feminist Network, Digi Women and the Association of Childcare Professionals.[90] On 7 May, theLaw Society of Ireland announced its support for a Yes vote. Ken Murphy, the society's Director General, said that the society was taking a public stance because marriage equality was an issue of fundamental human rights. The decision followed a report from the society's human rights committee, which found that there were 160 ways in which civil partnership, compared to civil marriage, was the lesser of the two unions.[91]
Some groups were also formed in opposition to the referendum. On 18 April,Mothers and Fathers Matter, formed in 2014 to oppose theChildren and Family Relationships Bill, launched its No campaign.[92][93] First Families First, a group of three people headed by disabilities campaigner and former politicianKathy Sinnott, and former columnistJohn Waters launched its campaign for a No vote on 1 May.[94] On 7 May, a group calledStandUp4Marriage launched. Its founder,Senator Jim Walsh said the launch was sparsely attended because people who want to vote no are afraid to speak out.[64]Mandate for Marriage was established in March 2015. It advocated a no vote.[95]
The following organisations registered as "approved bodies" to monitorpostal voting and vote counting:Comhar Críostaí, Marriage Equality, Yes Equality Cork,Green Party, Mothers & Fathers Matter,Fianna Fáil,Labour Party,BeLonG To Youth Services,Irish Council for Civil Liberties,GLEN Campaign for Marriage,National LGBT Federation,Sinn Féin, andFine Gael.[96][97][98]
Broadcasters are legally required to cover referendum campaigns in a balanced manner. Several complaints were made to theBroadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) that programmes and presenters had unfairly favoured the Yes side. The BAI rejected these in its October 2015 report.[99][100]
| Publication date | Excluding other[n 1] | Including other | Polling org. | Commissioned by | References | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes (%) | No (%) | Yes (%) | No (%) | Other[n 1] (%) | ||||
| 17 May 2015 | 73 | 27 | 69 | 25 | 6 | Red C | The Sunday Business Post | [101][102][103] |
| 17 May 2015 | 71 | 29 | 63 | 26 | 11 | Behaviour & Attitudes | The Sunday Times | [102][104] |
| 17 May 2015 | 69 | 31 | 53 | 24 | 23 | Millward Brown | Sunday Independent | [105][106] |
| 16 May 2015 | 70 | 30 | 58 | 25 | 17 | Ipsos MRBI | The Irish Times | [107] |
| 7 May 2015 | — | 78 | 16 | 6 | Amárach Research | RTÉ – Claire Byrne Live | [64] | |
| 25 April 2015 | 78 | 22 | 72 | 20 | 8 | Red C | The Sunday Business Post | [108][109] |
| 17 April 2015 | — | 77 | 14 | 9 | Amárach Research | RTÉ – Claire Byrne Live | [110] | |
| 27 March 2015 | 74 | 26 | — | Ipsos MRBI | The Irish Times | [111] | ||
| 24 January 2015 | 77 | 22[n 2] | — | Red C | The Sunday Business Post | [112][113] | ||
| 8 December 2014 | 81 | 19 | 71 | 17 | 12 | Ipsos MRBI | The Irish Times | [114] |
| 13 October 2014 | 76 | 24 | 68 | 23 | 9 | Ipsos MRBI | The Irish Times | [115][114] |
| April 2014 | 76 | 24 | 67 | 21 | 12 | Ipsos MRBI | The Irish Times | [116] |
| 20 February 2014 | 80 | 20 | 76 | 19 | 5 | Red C | The Sunday Business Post /Prime Time | [117][118] |
| 7 November 2013 | 81 | 19 | 76 | 18 | 6 | Red C | Paddy Power | [119][120] |
| November 2012 | 64 | 36 | 53 | 30 | 17 | Ipsos MRBI | The Irish Times | [116] |
A 2014 poll showed that support was strongest among younger voters, and that Sinn Féin and Labour voters were somewhat more in favour than Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.[118][111][116]
Counting began at 09:00 IST on 23 May (08:00 UTC). Early tallies quickly began to indicate a victory for theYes campaign, with Minister of StateAodhán Ó Ríordáin declaring a "landslide" victory across Dublin only 8 minutes into counting.[121] Key figures in theNo campaign, including David Quinn began conceding defeat as early as 10:00, long ahead of any constituencies declaring their final count.[122]
Urban regions generally recorded higher approval ratings for the change. The highestYes percentages were recorded inCounty Dublin with all of the top ten byYes vote percentage being in the city and county (with a totalYes vote of 71% for the region), and all of the top 15 located in theGreater Dublin Area.Cork's urban constituencies also ranked above the national average, as didLimerick city. Although theDonegal constituencies had been expected to return aNo vote,[123] — and indeed, of all constituencies reporting a majorityYes vote, the lowest margin was recorded inDonegal South-West, where aYes vote was carried by a margin of only 33 votes —Roscommon–South Leitrim was the only constituency to return a majorityNo vote.
TheHomeToVote hashtag onTwitter, used by emigrant voters indicating their intent to return to Ireland to vote yes, was globally the fifth biggest trending topic of the year.[124]
The national results were as follows:[125]
| Choice | Votes | % |
|---|---|---|
 Yes | 1,201,607 | 62.07 |
| No | 734,300 | 37.93 |
| Valid votes | 1,935,907 | 99.29 |
| Invalid or blank votes | 13,818 | 0.71 |
| Total votes | 1,949,725 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | 3,221,681 | 60.52 |
| Yes: 1,201,607 (62.07%) | No: 734,300 (37.93%) | ||
| ▲ | |||
| Constituency | Electorate | Turnout (%) | Votes | Proportion of votes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yes | No | Yes | No | |||
| Carlow–Kilkenny | 104,735 | 65.43% | 38,166 | 29,697 | 56.24% | 43.76% |
| Cavan–Monaghan | 99,265 | 57.19% | 28,494 | 27,763 | 50.65% | 49.35% |
| Clare | 81,809 | 59.44% | 28,137 | 20,154 | 58.27% | 41.73% |
| Cork East | 81,534 | 60.90% | 30,383 | 18,845 | 61.70% | 38.30% |
| Cork North-Central | 75,263 | 59.87% | 28,479 | 16,182 | 63.77% | 36.23% |
| Cork North-West | 62,118 | 62.80% | 22,388 | 16,298 | 57.90% | 42.10% |
| Cork South-Central | 92,422 | 63.86% | 38,591 | 20,072 | 65.78% | 34.22% |
| Cork South-West | 59,813 | 61.70% | 20,627 | 16,225 | 56.00% | 44.00% |
| Donegal North-East | 59,721 | 51.44% | 16,040 | 14,492 | 52.46% | 47.54% |
| Donegal South-West | 62,171 | 51.98% | 15,907 | 15,874 | 50.05% | 49.95% |
| Dublin Central | 57,193 | 57.98% | 23,861 | 9,108 | 72.37% | 27.63% |
| Dublin Mid-West | 67,091 | 63.39% | 29,984 | 12,291 | 70.93% | 29.07% |
| Dublin North | 72,523 | 65.83% | 34,494 | 13,009 | 72.61% | 27.39% |
| Dublin North-Central | 53,785 | 68.85% | 25,382 | 11,431 | 68.95% | 31.05% |
| Dublin North-East | 59,549 | 66.38% | 26,222 | 13,090 | 66.70% | 33.30% |
| Dublin North-West | 50,943 | 59.64% | 20,919 | 8,814 | 70.36% | 29.64% |
| Dublin South | 103,969 | 69.24% | 49,109 | 21,150 | 69.90% | 30.10% |
| Dublin South-Central | 80,406 | 60.56% | 34,988 | 13,418 | 72.28% | 27.72% |
| Dublin South-East | 59,376 | 58.02% | 25,655 | 8,594 | 74.91% | 25.09% |
| Dublin South-West | 71,232 | 63.41% | 32,010 | 12,901 | 71.27% | 28.73% |
| Dublin West | 65,643 | 64.36% | 29,690 | 12,350 | 70.62% | 29.38% |
| Dún Laoghaire | 80,176 | 67.05% | 38,284 | 15,168 | 71.62% | 28.38% |
| Galway East | 85,900 | 56.01% | 25,389 | 22,265 | 53.28% | 46.72% |
| Galway West | 95,180 | 55.18% | 32,037 | 20,053 | 61.50% | 38.50% |
| Kerry North–West Limerick | 62,523 | 57.21% | 19,678 | 15,808 | 55.45% | 44.55% |
| Kerry South | 57,524 | 58.19% | 18,357 | 14,831 | 55.31% | 44.69% |
| Kildare North | 79,014 | 62.05% | 33,960 | 14,782 | 69.67% | 30.33% |
| Kildare South | 60,384 | 58.41% | 23,199 | 11,861 | 66.17% | 33.83% |
| Laois–Offaly | 108,436 | 58.37% | 35,685 | 27,135 | 56.81% | 43.19% |
| Limerick | 64,100 | 58.51% | 20,322 | 16,797 | 54.75% | 45.25% |
| Limerick City | 61,421 | 63.30% | 24,789 | 13,855 | 64.15% | 35.85% |
| Longford–Westmeath | 87,425 | 54.77% | 25,445 | 22,025 | 53.60% | 46.40% |
| Louth | 102,561 | 59.92% | 38,758 | 22,313 | 63.46% | 36.54% |
| Mayo | 97,296 | 57.48% | 28,801 | 26,566 | 52.02% | 47.98% |
| Meath East | 64,956 | 59.68% | 24,525 | 14,025 | 63.62% | 36.38% |
| Meath West | 63,649 | 56.28% | 21,374 | 14,189 | 60.10% | 39.90% |
| Roscommon–South Leitrim | 59,392 | 61.49% | 17,615 | 18,644 | 48.58% | 51.42% |
| Sligo–North Leitrim | 62,031 | 57.78% | 19,043 | 16,502 | 53.57% | 46.43% |
| Tipperary North | 62,233 | 62.50% | 22,077 | 18,298 | 54.68% | 45.32% |
| Tipperary South | 56,060 | 59.30% | 19,203 | 15,012 | 54.69% | 45.31% |
| Waterford | 79,669 | 59.37% | 28,313 | 18,620 | 60.33% | 39.67% |
| Wexford | 111,474 | 57.82% | 40,692 | 23,298 | 63.59% | 36.41% |
| Wicklow | 94,275 | 68.77% | 44,059 | 20,384 | 68.37% | 31.63% |
| Total | 3,206,151 | 60.52% | 1,201,607 | 734,300 | 62.07% | 37.93% |
Dublin Castle, where the result of referendum was officially announced, was opened to the public for the duration of the count, with numbers limited to 2,000 at any one time. A carnival atmosphere prevailed all day after early count tallies indicated that the result would be a Yes. Celebrations and street parties took place at many venues in cities around Ireland, with Dublin celebrations centred between gay venuesPantibar andThe George, and Dublin Castle.[128]
TaoiseachEnda Kenny said "With today's Yes vote we have disclosed who we are – a generous, compassionate, bold and joyful people. The referendum was about inclusiveness and equality, about love and commitment being enshrined in the constitution. The people have spoken. They have said yes. Ireland – thank you."[129]
TánaisteJoan Burton described Ireland as a "rainbow nation" and said "In Ireland, we are known as a nation of storytellers and today, the people have told quite some story. Together, the people of Ireland have struck a massive blow against discrimination as we extend the right of marriage to all our citizens."Leo Varadkar,Minister for Health and Ireland's first openly gay cabinet minister, said "It is a historic day for Ireland. We are the first country in the world to enshrine marriage equality in our constitution and to do it through popular mandate. That makes us a beacon of equality and liberty to the rest of the world, so it's a very proud day for the Irish people."[129]
Micheál Martin,Fianna Fáil leader andLeader of the Opposition, who supported the amendment, said "there is something in the DNA of Irish people that reacts to inequality", adding "It is something that Irish people do not accept historically and I believe this ballot is a vote in favour of a more inclusive, equal and just society."[130] However, SenatorAveril Power resigned from Fianna Fáil after the referendum, alleging that many of its TDs and Senators had refused to canvass or leaflet for a Yes vote, and that its low profile in the Yes campaign was "cynical and cowardly".[131][132]
The leader ofSinn Féin,Gerry Adams, said "We have a new era of equality and that is a good day for Ireland."[129]
Veteran gay and civil rights campaigner, SenatorDavid Norris, who was one of the key figures in having homosexuality decriminalised, said "I think it's wonderful. It's a little bit late for me. As I said the other day, I've spent so much time pushing the boat out that I forgot to jump on and now it's out beyond the harbour on the high seas, but it's very nice to look at."[133]
Katherine Zappone, the first openly lesbian member of the Oireachtas, proposed remarrying her wife on air.[134]
Diarmuid Martin, theRoman Catholic Archbishop of Dublin toldRTÉ that the church needed a "reality check." He said "I appreciate how gay and lesbian men and women feel on this day. That they feel this is something that is enriching the way they live. I think it is a social revolution." He added "I ask myself, most of these young people who voted yes are products of our Catholic school system for 12 years. I'm saying there's a big challenge there to see how we get across the message of the Church".[135] However, asked about the referendum onRTÉ during his retirement in 2023 he reflected "The church has got so caught up in the dogmatic rights and wrongs, absolute rights and wrongs, that it's lost the context." He also reflected "if the church appears only as a rule book, then they have lost Christianity. That isn't what Christianity is about."[136]
Following the result, theAssociation of Catholic Priests (ACP) co-founders and leadership team made a number of statements showing support for the outcome of the referendum. This included leadership team member Fr. Gerry O’ Connor who said he saw the legislation as "catching up with people's lives" and that "the Irish people should be proud". Fr. Iggy O' Donovan, anAugustinan priest said he was "absolutely delighted" with the result. The association also expressed disappointment with the hard position taken by the bishops, withFr. Tony Flannery saying it was "in total opposition" to the movement from younger generations, who should be listened to instead of being driven away with pastorals. He feltDiarmuid Martin had "allowed himself to be bullied by the extreme conservative Catholic papers into adopting the same rigid line as the other bishops". Fellow co-founder of the ACPFr. Brendan Hoban said that the result showed "the gap between the church and a significant number of its people... It is so out of tune with the needs of the people" and that the church needed to adapt, and cannot expect its teaching to be in the law of the land.[137]
TheChurch of Ireland issued a statement indicating that it "defines marriage as between a man and a woman, and the result of this referendum does not alter this." The Archbishops and bishops also called for "a spirit of public generosity, both from those for whom the result of the referendum represents triumph, and from those for whom it signifies disaster".[138][139]
ThePresbyterian Church in Ireland said it was "deeply disappointed and saddened that the Constitution will no longer reflect the historic – and Christian – view of marriage that it is exclusively between one man and one woman."[140]
United Nations Secretary GeneralBan Ki-moon, in Ireland to receive theTipperary International Peace Award, described the referendum result as "truly historic" and said that "The result sends an important message to the world: All people are entitled to enjoy their human rights no matter who they are or whom they love."[141]
Australia – Australian supporters ofmarriage equality expressed the hope that "the result in Ireland would have a positive impact on the marriage equality debate in Australia", withOpposition LeaderBill Shorten asking "If the Irish people can vote in favour of marriage equality, the question has to be asked, what is Tony Abbott's problem with it?", but both Shorten andPrime MinisterTony Abbott agreed that the issue should be dealt with by theFederal Parliament rather than by a referendum.[142] Despite this initial position, the country ended up holding its own public vote in theAustralian Marriage Law Postal Survey, withTiernan Brady playing a key role in the "Yes" campaign.[143]
Canada – Political leaders in Canada, which first recognized same-sex marriages in 2005, welcomed the result and congratulated the Irish people; includingPremier of OntarioKathleen Wynne, the first openly gay leader of a province in Canada, and federalLeader of the Official OppositionTom Mulcair.[144]
Germany – German opposition parties called onChancellorAngela Merkel'sgrand coalition government to legalise same-sex marriage.Katrin Göring-Eckardt, co-leader of theGreens in theBundestag, said "It's time, Frau Merkel", adding that the Irish vote was a "great signal: the same love deserves the same respect" and that she was confident that Germany would soon follow.Jens Spahn, aRoman Catholic and the first openly gay member of the ruling council of Merkel'sCDU party, said that "what the Catholic Irish can do, we can do, too".[145]
Italy –Prime MinisterMatteo Renzi was quoted byLa Repubblica as stating that debate on civil unions in Italy could no longer be put off in the wake of Ireland's approval. Figures includingDemocratic Party leader Roberto Speranza and President of theChamber of DeputiesLaura Boldrini praised Ireland's approval and called for Italy to follow.[146]
United Kingdom –Prime MinisterDavid Cameron stated on his website 'My heartfelt congratulations to the people of Ireland, who have voted today to introduce same-sex marriage. Just over a year ago, we introduced same-sex civil marriage and sent out a clear message – you are equal whether you are straight or gay'[147] The result was also praised by other politicians from across the political spectrum,[148] including anearly day motion in theHouse of Commons signed by members from theConservative Party,Scottish National Party,Plaid Cymru,Social Democratic and Labour Party and theLabour Party.[149] A few commentators such asSaeed Kamali Dehghan and Ronan Marron argued that letting the majority vote by referendum to grant or withhold the fundamental rights of a minority is wrong in principle, and can also set a dangerous precedent for less tolerant countries.[150][151] The contrary case was put by Michael Angland, who argued that the 'national conversation' created by the referendum was a more effective way of combatting prejudice than a 'quick-fix parliamentary vote'.[152]
Scotland –First MinisterNicola Sturgeon wrote on Twitter "It's official. Well done Ireland, I bet there will be a few marriage proposals in the pubs of Dublin tonight. What a lovely thought. Enjoy the celebrations, Ireland".
United States – The result was welcomed by many seniorDemocrats, includingVice-PresidentJoe Biden;Presidential candidate, formerFirst Lady, and formerSecretary of StateHillary Clinton; Irish-bornUS ambassador to the United NationsSamantha Power and former presidential candidateMartin O'Malley.[155]
Vatican – The Vatican and the Pope did not officially comment on the result of the referendum.[156] In apparent response[157] to Archbishop Diarmuid Martin's statement, a Vatican cardinal,Pietro Cardinal Parolin (theCardinal Secretary of State) was reported in English language media as saying that the result was "a defeat for humanity" and he "was deeply saddened by the result". "The church must take account of this reality, but in the sense that it must strengthen its commitment to evangelisation. I think that you cannot just talk of a defeat for Christian principles, but of a defeat for humanity"[158] However the officialnuncio (Papal ambassador) to Ireland challenged the accuracy of this translation saying "I believe he was speaking in Italian . . . so he didn’t actually say that."[159] On explaining why he did not speak on the referendum he also said "it's not the role of an ambassador from any nation to comment on matters of political decision in the country where he’s representing his own country".[159]Under the Referendum Act 1994, thereturning officer issued a provisional certificate of the referendum result to theMaster of the High Court and published a notice inIris Oifigiúil, theofficial gazette.[1][160][161] Citizens have seven days in which to lodge a petition challenging the result.[162][161] If no petition is upheld, the provisional certificate is certified as final by the Master of the High Court and the bill is sent to thePresident of Ireland to besigned into law, thereby amending the constitution.[163][161] Two petitions against the marriage referendum were rejected in the High Court in June and theCourt of Appeal in July, after which the bill was signed by PresidentMichael D. Higgins on 29 August 2015.[8][164]
The provisional referendum certificate was issued on 25 May 2015 and published the following day inIris Oifigiúil.[1] Two separate petitions challenging the certificate were lodged within the time limit and considered in the High Court on 5 June 2015.[165] The petitioners, Gerry Walshe and Maurice J. Lyons, werelay litigants.[166] Walsh argued that political parties receiving state funding should have been prohibited from campaigning; that copies of the amendment should have been available atpost offices; and that thesecrecy of the ballot was compromised by serial numbers on ballot papers and CCTV cameras in some polling stations.[166][167] Lyons argued that the amendment is too vaguely worded and incompatible with the constitution's Christian ethos and reference to "woman ... in the home"; and also that non-voters should have been counted as no-voters.[168][169]Nicholas Kearns, President of the High Court, dismissed both applications and awardedcosts against the petitioners.[170][168][171] Walshe and Lyonsappealed the decisions, and on 29 June the Court of Appeal scheduledhearings for 30 July.[172][173][174][175] On 30 July the court upheld the dismissals and the costs awards against both petitioners.[7][176] The remaining steps were as prescribed by the Referendum Act 1994: on 24 August the High Court's Master formally notified the referendum returning officer Ríona Ní Fhlanghaile that it had not accepted any petition;[177] on 28 August Ní Fhlanghaile sent the final referendum certificate to the Taoiseach and President;[178] on 29 August the President signed the amendment into law.[179][180][164][181]
Meanwhile, on 27 August, both Walshe and Lyons applied to theSupreme Court to overturn the Court of Appeal decision, although neither sought astay on the Master or returning officer's actions, and their applications did not prevent the bill being signed into law.[179][182] On 16 September, the Supreme Court refusedleave to appeal, stating neither applicant had raised any points of substance.[183][184] The Supreme Court criticised the decision to finalise the referendum certificate before it had made its decision;[185] however, the High Court on 23 September rejected a claim by Walshe that the certificate was therefore invalid.[180][186] The President's office and theDepartment of the Environment also stated they had acted in accordance with the law.[164][187] The Master of the High Court said the problem arose because the Referendum Act 1994 did not take account of the Court of Appeal, created in 2014 under theThirty-third Amendment of the Constitution.[179][187] Lecturer Conor O'Mahony suggested the Master, though not obliged to wait for a Supreme Court appeal, might better have chosen to do so.[187] The Supreme Court suggested that the applicants' failure to request a stay on the Court of Appeal decision pending request for a Supreme Court Appeal was a consequence of their being lay litigants, and that a professional lawyer would not have made such an omission.[188]
In March 2015, theDepartment of Justice and Equality published the general scheme of the Marriage Bill 2015, setting out the changes to be made to marriage law if the proposed amendment was enacted. These include removing the current legislative bar on same-sex couples marrying,[189] allowing foreign same-sex marriages to be registered in Ireland as marriages rather than as civil partnerships,[190] and dissolving a civil partnership if the partners marry each other.[191] Authorisedsolemnisers of marriage from religious groups would be allowed to refuse to officiate at same-sex ceremonies.[192][193] Lawyer Benedict Ó Floinn felt the bill's drafting should have been completed before the referendum, to minimise thelacuna during which statute law is out of step with the constitution.[194] TheGender Recognition Act 2015 requires atransgender person to be unmarried to recognise a change of legal sex;[195] the Marriage Bill intends to remove this restriction.[196][197]
The government hoped to have the Marriage Bill enacted before the Oireachtas' summeradjournment, but the referendum petition hearings in the Court of Appeal delayed this.[172][173][198] The government intended to enact the Marriage Bill "as early as possible" after the Dáil's resumption on 22 September 2015.[199] The bill provides that applications for civil partnership pending when it comes into force can be converted into applications for marriage.[200][199][201] The Minister for Justice stated that marriages under this provision should take place by November.[201][202] The bill was approved at a cabinet meeting on 16 September for publication the following day.[203] It passed its final stage in the legislature on 22 October 2015[204] and (in the absence of thePresident, who was out of the country) was signed into law on 29 October 2015 by thePresidential Commission.[205]
The Marriage Act 2015came into force on 16 November 2015.[206] The first same-sex marriage ceremony was the next day inClonmel,County Tipperary.[207]
In the aftermath of the referendum several artistic interpretations took place. In 2016,A Day in May byCharlie Bird told the stories of individuals impacted by the referendum.[208] In 2018, sections of this publication were used as part of a play by the same name in theOlympia Theatre, Dublin.[209] In 2017, the playA Morning After The Life Before was first performed, the play was based on playwrightAnn Blake experience before and after the referendum.[210]
The wording is intended to give a right to marry to couples without distinction as to their sex. If the wording is approved by the people, there would be a corresponding obligation and requirement on the State to respect and vindicate that right in its legislation. Therefore, it would not be open to the State to maintain in being legislation which prohibits the marriage of same-sex couples.
In case of conflict between the texts of any copy of this Constitution enrolled under this section, the text in the national language shall prevail.
I'm calling it. Key boxes opened. It's a yes. And a landslide across Dublin. And I'm so proud to be Irish today. #MarRef
Irish vote tops German news with politicians saying 'what the Catholic Irish can do, we can do, too'
Ireland's referendum sets a dangerous precedent for other nations where public opinion might not be so tolerant
Ronan Marron argues that the majority cannot vote on the rights of minorities in a national referendum.
Bypassing all of the hard work and getting same-sex marriage quickly legislated from on high might seem attractive, but I would prefer to take the risk of having a national conversation, which has the potential to fundamentally transform society for the better. Even should the worst happen and the referendum fail, the silences shattered and truths confronted in living rooms all over Ireland during the last few months bear testament to the value of the latter road. ... Prejudice will still thrive, even if the people in power make the right noises. The only way to minimise it is not through a quick-fix parliamentary vote but through the arduous path of meeting hatred with love, ignorance with education, anger with patience, and darkness with light. The referendum has put it up to each and every Irish person to do just that, and imagine how much sweeter justice will feel when it has been vindicated by our families, neighbours and friends, not by a detached bunch of political opportunists on Kildare Street.
As Deputies will be aware, the Bill requires that an applicant for gender recognition is single, pending the outcome of the referendum on same-sex marriage that is due to take place in May of this year. I accept that this is not ideal. The existing constitutional prohibition on same-sex marriage is a blockage in this respect. I am happy to confirm that my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality, has agreed that the marriage Bill, which will be enacted if the referendum is passed by the people, will include provisions to amend this legislation to remove the requirement to be single.
