Fears ‘silent No vote’ threat to Irish marriage equality
Supporters of marriage equality in the Republic of Ireland have warned that complacency could lead to failure in the referendum.
The Republic of Ireland is due to vote in a referendum on introducing same-sex marriage on May 22nd.
The former deputy Prime Minister of Ireland is among those who are warning not to take the result for granted. Eamon Gilmore said, according to the Irish Times: “The biggest danger is complacency.
“Don’t take the outcome of this referendum for granted. Ensure it passes. Don’t leave it to other people.
“It’s essentially about saying to people that the love of a same-sex couple is no less valid that the love of any other couple.”
Fine Gael politicians have warned that there is a significant amount of “silent No supporters” among their party members.
Ciarán Cannon, a former junior minister, told the Irish Independent: “The ‘No’ campaign are exceptionally cynical with their postering, raising issues such as surrogacy and adoption.
“People are being told a ‘Yes’ vote will undermine children’s rights and that approach is working.”
Member of Parliament Brendan Griffin agreed. He said: “There are concerns about children. People are afraid of a situation whereby the rights of children are drastically changed.
“This could be quite tight, we need to be careful.”
