Sir, – Barry Jones (April 4th) says that the No side in the marriage equality referendum "is characterised by good and sincere people who are profoundly unsettled by the notion of same-sex marriage. They see it as contrived and seriously misguided and without any natural and rational basis that stands up to scrutiny".
But of course there are many good and sincere people backing the No vote in the marriage equality referendum.
Good and sincere people have always supported attitudes that are not considered civilised in today’s world. Good and sincere people supported slavery. Was not St Paul a good and sincere person?
Good and sincere people were sexist, believing women to be unsuitable for many professions or to have a vote.
Good and sincere people still support capital punishment.
That good and sincere people can be “profoundly unsettled” by something does not mean that what they fear is in fact harmful. – Yours, etc,
DECLAN KELLY,
Rathfarnham,
Dublin 14.
Sir, – I’m rather at loss as to what Pádraig McCarthy (April 3rd) believes are the possible unintended legal consequences of marriage equality which the Government has not addressed.
The only material legal consequence is intended, that is, removing the current ban on marriage between two persons of the same sex which exists in section (2)(e) of the Civi Registration Act 2010 and at common law.
The law on prohibited degrees of relationship will continue to apply. – Yours, etc,
BRIAN DINEEN,
Clontarf,
Dublin 3.