Irish constitutional referendums, 2015

The government of Ireland will hold referendums on 22 May 2015 on two proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ireland.[1] The amendments, which were among those recommended by the Constitutional Convention, would reduce the age of candidacy for the President of Ireland from 35 to 21, and permit same-sex marriage.[2] A Dáil by-election in Carlow–Kilkenny will be on the same day.[2] Other amendments were considered but not proceeded with, including reducing the voting age from 18 to 16, and sanctioning the establishment of a Unified Patent Court.[3][4]

Same-sex marriage

Voters will be asked whether to add to the Constitution that "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex".[5]

A Yes vote is supported by the Government as well as all major political parties.[6][7][8] According to polls, provision for same-sex marriage is supported by about 76% of the voters.[9]

Presidential candidacy age

References

  1. ↑ "Ireland Sets Date For Same Sex Marriage Vote". Sky News. 20 February 2015.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Wording of same-sex marriage referendum published". RTÉ.ie. 21 January 2015. Retrieved 26 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Government to hold up to half a dozen referendums next year". The Irish Times. 14 August 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.
  4. ↑ Collins, Stephen (15 January 2015). "Coalition abandons plan for poll on younger voting age". The Irish Times. Retrieved 27 January 2015.
  5. ↑ "Wording of same-sex marriage referendum published". RTÉ. 21 January 2015.
  6. ↑ Sheahan, Fionnan (5 November 2013). "Government to call for Yes vote for gay marriage". Irish Independent. Retrieved 6 November 2013.
  7. ↑ "Fine Gael will take stance on gay marriage, says Kenny". Independent.ie. 10 February 2014.
  8. ↑ "Fine Gael says ‘yes’ to same-sex marriage but ‘no’ to legalising cannabis". TheJournal.ie. 1 March 2014.
  9. ↑ "Will Ireland vote for gay marriage? Historic vote coming up". Irish Central. 1 October 2014. Retrieved 16 December 2014.