When will Ireland’s first same-sex weddings take place?
The Republic of Ireland overwhelmingly voted to introduce same-sex marriage in a referendum last week, with 62.1% voting in favour and 37.9% voting against.
However, couples can’t get married just yet – with the government needing to make a number of changes to existing law before weddings can commence.
Irish justice minister Frances Fitzgerald has promised to implement the law as soon as possible, saying: “I am very conscious that many couples will want to get married as soon as possible. I am working to make that happen.
“My intention is to seek Government approval for the Marriage Bill 2015 in June with the aim of introducing the Bill into the Oireachtas immediately thereafter so that the legislation can be enacted before the summer recess.”
The country enforces a mandatory three-month notice period for weddings, which means that weddings could happen this autumn if the law is indeed enacted before the recess in July.
However, any delay over legislative hurdles could have a knock-on effect. If the law fails to be enacted before the recess, it could potentially delay the implementation until the start of 2016.
A number of couples are waiting to wed – including Senator Katherine Zappone and her fiancée Ann Louise Gilligan.
The Senator has an extra motive to see weddings in place as soon as possible, after proposing to Ms Gilligan to her partner on live TV following the outcome of the referendum.
