Legislative Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 14 January 2015

Wednesday, 14 January 2015

Questions (405)

John Lyons

Question:

405. Deputy John Lyons asked the Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Questions Nos 380 and 381, if a civil partnership to civil marriage conversion process similar to that in the UK will be considered in the event of a "Yes" vote in next May's marriage equality referendum, whereby this process is not automatic but rather there is the option to complete a declaration at a registry office and therefore fulfil the requirement for both parties to provide their full, free and informed consent to the conversion to a marriage. [49602/14]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

As I indicated in response to Parliamentary Questions Nos 380 and 381, an implementation Bill will be required to make civil marriage available to same-sex couples in the event that the referendum is passed by the People this year. Provision will be made in that Bill to ensure that couples who are civil partners of each other may marry each other. The detailed provisions enabling this will, in due course, be brought before the Oireachtas in the normal way.