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UK Wedding News

15/05/2015

Sinn Féin Spokesperson Calls For Marriage Equality

Sinn Féin spokesperson on Equality, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, has voiced his support for a 'Yes' vote ahead of Ireland's referendum regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriage.

In a statement on the party's website, Mac Lochlainn said there are inconsistencies between same-sex and opposite-sex unions. He referred to the 'inequality' at the centre of civil partnership arrangements when gay couples are not offered the choice of having a civil marriage.

Depute Mac Lochlainn explained: "Civil partnership is a second class version of marriage. What couple would swap their marriage certificate for a civil partnership version if it were possible to do so? Who dreams in their youth of being civil partnered? This referendum is about equality and equality alone.

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"Of course marriage is more than just a symbolic union. Married couples have constitutional and legal protection. However, civil partners only have legal protection. Legal protection is something which can be changed at any time by the Oireachtas. Constitutional protection can only be changed by the people's vote in a referendum."

He continued: "Civil partnership is fundamentally different to civil marriage in a number of areas such as contract law, judicial separation as well as fiscal protection in certain cases. In short, civil partnerships fall short of full constitutional equality. Gay and lesbian couples want their committed, long term relationship to have the same legal recognition that marriage brings.

"The people of Ireland now have a historic opportunity bring equality to all of our citizens."

Ireland will hold a referendum to decide if same-sex couples should be allowed to marry on 22 May.

(JP)

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"Sinn Féin spokesperson on Equality, Pádraig Mac Lochlainn TD, has voiced his support for a 'Yes' vote ahead of Ireland's referendum regarding the legalisation of same-sex marriage."