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DEBATE IN THE same-sex marriage referendum has stepped up a few notches this week, buoyed on by the publication of the wording of the vote yesterday.
The move was broadly welcomed by politicians and several interests groups, however others have expressed their concerns over the potential addition of the following line to article 41 of the Constitution:
‘Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.’
Speaking on Morning Ireland, Breda O’Brien (journalist and patron of the Iona Institute) said that, if passed, the referendum will make it impossible to “say that it is preferable for a child to be adopted, where it is possible, by a man and a woman”.
She said it was “very clear” that this was the best environment in which to raise a child
O’Brien said she didn’t oppose civil partnerships for same-sex couples but drew the line at marriage as children become involved.
On Tuesday it emerged that the government planned to have enacted the Children and Family Relationships Bill – which covers several issues including gay adoption – before the marriage equality referendum in May. The legislation will provide for gay couples to jointly apply to adopt, which they can currently only do individually.
Bad timing?
Labour TD Dominic Hannigan also appeared on the programme. He married his long-term partner, Chris, in London late last year.
Hannigan said debating marriage and adoption issues at the same time wasn’t ideal and the “timing could have been better”. However, he noted that one in four children in Ireland don’t live in the “traditional family structure” of a mother and father, for various reasons.
The Meath East TD said the government has put the rights of children “at the forefront of legislation” since it took office. He said the new law was about “making sure their futures are protected”.
When O’Brien said she didn’t have a problem with a grandmother and a mother raising a child, she was asked what the difference was between that a lesbian couple raising a child.
She said the former situation was acceptable as although the child’s father is not present, their right to having one has not been “taken away”.
“Do you think we should change the Constitution to allow grandmothers and their daughters to marry?,” she asked.
Opinion polls have shown widespread support for same-sex marriage in recent months, but Hannigan cautioned by saying: “Far too many people assume this is in the bag.”
He said a “very, very difficult campaign would have to be fought” and encouraged people not only to vote but to actively campaign.
“We cannot allow this to be lost because of complacency or apathy,” he added.
“Source: The Journal”
Seriously.
Does the ministry for Irish not speak Irish either, wtf
yet again we see one rule for tds and another for the rest of us. what employer would offer me a job if my cv stated I’d no knowledge of an essential part of the position. do you think the employer would take me on and then pay for me to gain knowledge in the subject. it’s just bonkers. they won’t apply the same rights for everyone else and only last week it’s transpires that a private company has offered to pay for a teacher in the aran islands, no funding for the kids one on one there courtesy of the govt, no that only applies to the pampered few in leinster house.
Hope he’s a quick learner because they don’t have a lot of time left in office.
Poor Joe doesn’t realise Montreal and Nova Scotia are in Canada, good lad!
On the continent of North America….containing Americans… Shocker!!!
For those of you who are perhaps not too happy with Joe McHugh, in particular with his recent decision to stop the vital aeroplane service to The Aran Islands, celebrated Ghaelacht Islands, sign this petition now. If Joe McHugh really cared for the Ghaeltacht, he would’t be getting rid of such a necessary service.
Petition here: https://www.change.org/p/joe-mchugh-enda-kenny-save-the-aran-islands-aeroplane-service/
It’s getting replaced by a helicopter service. Is that not worth mentioning or do we just have to get in a rage about everything?
Helis can operate in rougher weather and the winning bid came in €300,000 lower than the encumbent what’s the problem?
it’s change. they just don’t like change for the sake of it, even though the company operating them are also from Galway and have to provide the same service for the same price to islanders.
Not like the Eircode tender where the winner gave the third placed a juicy contract in UK 2 years after they mysteriously withdrew. And winner will give €23.6 million of the €27 million tender to second place An Post. And even though Loc8 code offered a perfect post code for free…could a tender be any more corrupt?
He was fluent in bull shit long before he was handed his cushy number. Seems to be a prerequisite for being a FG TD though.
The question about being taught by a non native teacher was a bit odd seeing that the vast majority of school kids in Ireland are taught Irish, French, German etc by non native speaker teachers. In fact worldwide more than 80% of language teachers are not native speakers.
Is this lad a mature student or an intern? Seems like an expensive education at our expense. Btw the ersi report shows an increase of 18% in attitude, that’s not the small figure Enda was referring to, would someone ask some pertinent questions please.
A documentary on radio 1 showed how bad mc hugh is at irish, you don’t pick it up in a year. He only lives a few miles from the gaeltacht too.
Good for him. I applaud him learning and showing by example it can easily be done with hard work and determination besides moaning about him not been born into an Irish speaking family.
You learn Irish at school, or you would do if there was any competence around the subject. Handing out the portfolio like a treat has it this way, this lad seems to be on a personal journey, he’s a bloody Minister.
No comment.
another parasite.
“Minister Qualifies”
An educational achievement for Enda the Educator, pyrrhic for Enda the Taoiseach.
Tir gan teanga ……..
Tir gan eolas!
…agus tír gon anam. :(
I’d be surprise if Joe keeps his seat at next election. Donegal is going from 6 seats (2 x 3 seat constuitency) to a 5 seater (with chunk of South Donegal going into new “Sligo–Leitrim” constituency.
The fact that he was given job in first place was probably to rise his profile come the election, same can be said for Heather Humphries whose seat is also probably marginal.
Who gives a f**k, really.. This is not news
Perhaps he could visit the Aran Islands. He mightn’t learn many beannachtaí but would definitely get invaluable experience of mallachtaí, given his ridiculous decision to stop the Air Aran service. As they say McHugh Níl son tóin tinn mar do thóin tinn féin.
*aon*
Bye bye Joe
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