Cillian Murphy attacks ‘negative use of children’ in the Irish referendum
Actor Cillian Murphy has attacked the “negative” use of children and expressed worry for their welfare during the Ireland’s same-sex marriage debate.
The Breakfast on Pluto actor released a joint statement with the National University of Ireland’s (NUIG) Professor Pat Dolan, to express their about the “divisive” and “unfair” involvement of children during the Republic of Ireland’s same-sex referendum debate, reports The Irish Times.
“The forthcoming same sex marriage referendum relates to adults’ human right to marry whom they chose regardless of sexual orientation,” the statement read.
“Divisive negative issues raised in relation to children and their welfare are being used to deflect from the core question in the referendum.”
Mr Murphy, who is a patron of the NUIG Child and Family Research Centre, said that while he was not trying to influence the vote neither one way or another, he and Prof Dolan believe children’s issues should be treated separately.
“The position of the Unesco Child and Family Research Centre at NUIG and its patron is that the most essential factor for a child or adolescent is that they have a loving, consistent and caring parent or parents who cater for their physical, intellectual, emotional, and social needs.
“This point of view is supported by a wealth of well-respected international research.”
The Tánaiste – Deputy Prime Minister – of the Republic of Ireland has said the posters against same-sex marriage are “sad and demeaning”, whereas comedian Jason Manford gave a rather cheekier response.
The referendum is due to take place on 22 May.
