Sir, – Seamus O'Callaghan (April 9th) disputes that Ireland will be the first country to hold a referendum on marriage equality. Although it is true that other countries have held referendums on certain aspects of marriage and LGBT rights, Ireland will be the first to propose absolute marriage equality.
In 2012 Slovenia held a referendum proposing equal rights in all cases except for adoption. This proposal for limited equality was rejected. In 2013 Croatia held a referendum asking voters to deny equal rights for same-sex couples, and sadly it was affirmed. In February of this year Slovakia held a referendum intended to deny equal rights for same-sex couples and despite it being affirmed, with just a 21 per cent turnout, it fell short of the 50 per cent turnout required for the result to be valid.
Other proposals offered either limited benefits or outright rejection of same-sex marriage, whereas Ireland is proposing that all marriages will be equal in every single way.
Legal questions about marriage and the family can be complex and messy, just like marriage and family life generally. However, our common law system is designed to be able to cope with messiness and to do so with appropriate regard for the principles on which our legal system and our society is based. The beauty of the referendum is its profundity yet simultaneous simplicity. It asks what kind of Ireland do we want to be on the eve of our nation’s centenary: one where the dignity of all people is expressed in the principle of equality before the law, or one where some are more equal than others? I know the Ireland I believe in. – Yours, etc,
EIMHIN WALSH,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – Katharine Davey is not alone in her repeated calls to differentiate terms such as "marriage" and "civil union" (March 28th; April 10th). The thrust of this referendum is that there is a difference between them. Those who seek to be married, and their families, deserve better than to be fobbed off with "civil union".
The ever-evolving definition of marriage – which nowadays includes such new-fangled innovations as mixed-race marriages, divorce, civil and religious ceremonies, marriages not involving domestic violence, marriages entered into freely by both parties regardless of the feeling of their respective parents – can and will survive the inclusion of same-sex relationships. – Yours, etc,
GER HENNESSY,
Athlone, Co Westmeath.
A chara, – Katherine Davey asks why we should not use the term civil union for all partnerships sanctioned by law. This would leave marriage as a preserve of the various religious denominations, ignoring the longstanding status of civil marriage. According to the latest CSO figures, 29 per cent of marriages have civil ceremonies only, with no religious component.
Furthermore, given our current constitutional position, Ms Davey’s proposal would require a new referendum. The referendum on May 22nd is about whether we should grant the same constitutional status and dignity to all relationships granted civil recognition by the state. It can only strengthen marriage as an institution that we can promote it to a greater number of committed couples. – Is mise,
WILLIAM QUILL,
Bray,
Co Wicklow.