President signs marriage equality bill

PRESIDENT Michael D. Higgins has signed the marriage equality bill.

It follows the resounding yes in last May’s referendum when Ireland became the first country in the world to bring in same-sex marriage by popular vote.

The next step is for the Oireachtas to pass the necessary enabling legislation to allow the first civil marriages for lesbian and gay people to take place.

Members of Yes Equality Mayo welcomed the signature of the 34th Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Act 2015.

It is a vindication of the clearly-expressed wish of more than 1.2 million voters to live in a more equal Ireland.

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald said the decision of the people in the May referendum has now been implemented.

 She said that in the coming weeks the new Marriage Bill will be introduced to 'make the necessary changes in the law and make it a reality that in Ireland in 2015, marriages will be possible between people without distinction as to their sex.'