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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.
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Fecking hate cancer.
If you can dodge cancer you can dodge a dodgeball
Maybe spending too much time with Fran Stalinovskovichdavidovitchsky, the most dangerous women on the planet
Good news. I like him. His movies make me and the kids laugh.
A PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is a simple blood test. All men over the age of 50 should have one regularly. They can do great things now if they get it early enough. Well done Mr Stiller.
@Deborah Behan: So you don’t need a finger up your bum anymore? Happy days.
Deborah the problem with PSA testing is that normal levels don’t always exclude cancer and elevated levels don’t always mean cancer. This is highlighted in the article. Thus it is not conclusive if all men should be screened because it leads to a lot of testing, some of which is invasive, and many of these tests will be completed on people that don’t turn out to have prostate cancer. Hence the best advice is included in the article, ie from age 50 discuss with doctor. This is all complicated by the fact that prostrate cancer is quite common, and in many cases slow growing. Indeed most men with prorate cancer do not die from it.
Never rated him much as an actor but he’s to be commended for fighting this and making it public.
Always liked his movies a lot. Great news
Get that finger up yer bum early gents!
@Barton Hobbes: A doctors or E.T’s. as the blood test would be more reliable?
I heard that in men that the risk of getting this cancer is the same as your age, so someone 31 has a 31% chance of getting it and a man of 62 has a 62% chance of getting it, I do not know if this is 100% fact but interesting. It is believed taking a daily amount of zinc can help prevent this cancer but another one to look into?
What
“I heard that…”
“It is believed…”
Excellent scientific research!
Apparently pleasuring yourself prevents male prostate cancer.
I wonder was this caused by the time he zipped up his pants the wrong way?
I like him! Check out ‘Permanent Midnight’
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