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Updated 23.10pm
THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE Frances Fitzgerald has signed the commencement order for the Marriage Act 2015.
It officially removes the impediment preventing a marriage between two persons of the same sex.
“The Irish people blazed a trail on 22 May 2015 when they became the first sovereign people to choose marriage equality by popular vote,” she said after signing the document.
They determined that Ireland should be characterised by solidarity and inclusiveness. They have reaffirmed the importance of marriage and family for our society.
Last May, over 62% of the electorate voted in favour of same-sex marriage.
The Department of Justice confirmed that from next Monday 16 November, couples can register their intention to marry with marriage registrars around the country.
The regulation under the Civil Registration Act 2004 was also signed. This means that couples already in a civil partnership can also file their intention to marry under the new laws.
Following the referendum result, the Supreme Court received two applications for leave to appeal in both cases.
They claimed they brought their various appeals in the public interest, and that the views of those opposed to same-sex marriage were not adequately represented by the state in the build-up to the referendum. These appeals were not successful.
Ireland made history in May of this year by becoming the first country in the world to vote in favour of same-sex marriage by popular vote.
To mark the occasion, it’s been reported that a Dublin City Council could be introducing a number of rainbow walks in the capital.
The initiative could see people walking on colourful crossings in the city. Similar bright pedestrian crossings have been introduced in other cities such as Sydney and San Francisco.
First published at 1.48pm
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