Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 February 2014
24. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans regarding the introduction of same sex marriage; if he will provide robust provisions for the protection of religious institutions so that they will not be compelled to betray their particular ethos by being forced to accommodate the performance of such arrangements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5038/14]
View answerThe Government's decision to hold a referendum on making marriage available to same-sex couples was subject to a commitment to guarantee freedom of religion for solemnisers. There is no question of obliging priests or ministers, for example, to perform marriage ceremonies where their churches would not permit or recognise such marriages. My Department is engaged in the early stages of developing a General Scheme of the implementation Bill that will be required if a referendum on opening marriage to same-sex couples is passed. The policy in the General Scheme will be very clear that only civil registrars who already conduct civil marriage ceremonies may be obliged in the general performance of their duties to perform marriage ceremonies between same-sex couples.
