David Cameron congratulates Ireland on victory for same-sex marriage
Prime Minister David Cameron has congratulated the Republic of Ireland, for passing same-sex marriage in a public landslide vote.
Citizens in Ireland voted yesterday on a proposal to introduce civil same-sex marriage in the country.
The official result was announced this evening from Dublin Castle, to a jubilant crowd. 62.1% percent voted for the measure, with 37.9% percent voting against.
UK Prime Minister David Cameron – who oversaw the introduction of same-sex marriage in England and Wales – has praised the verdict.
He wrote: “Congratulations to the people of Ireland, after voting for same-sex marriage, making clear you are equal if you are straight or gay.”
In a statement on the UK Government website, Mr Cameron said: “My heartfelt congratulations to the people of Ireland, who have voted today to introduce same-sex marriage.
“Just over a year ago, we introduced same-sex civil marriage and sent out a clear message – you are equal whether you are straight or gay.”
Same-sex marriage remains banned in Northern Ireland, which has become increasingly isolated on the issue.
Politicians from across the spectrum have welcomed the result in the UK, with SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon, Labour’s Yvette Cooper, Conservative equalities minister Nicky Morgan, and Liberal Democrat Lynne Featherstone all praising the outcome.
The Crown Dependencies of Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Man are also still to introduce equality – but have a much smaller population than Northern Ireland’s 1.8 million.
