Marriage equality referendum

Information Campaign for DCUSU

Marriage Equality Referendum Information Campaign

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Referendum 2015

Introduction TO REFERENDUM Under the DCUSU Constitution a member may petition the Returning Officer to hold a referendum on an area of Students’ Union policy.

The current position of the Students’ Union is to support the campaign for a yes vote in the State referendum on Marriage Equality. This position was endorsed by the Class Representative Council.

The Returning Officer has received a petition seeking the endorsement of this position from the membership.

A referendum will therefore be held on March 9 to March 11 inclusive.

The question on the ballot paper will be as follows:

Do you want the DCU Students’ Union to support and campaign for Marriage Equality for same-sex couples?

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Referendum 2015

What are the IMPLICATIONS OF MY VOTE?

If the membership votes yes?

If the membership votes yes the Students’ Union will be required to support the campaign for marriage equality in the State referendum to be held on May 22.

If the membership votes no?

If the membership votes no the Students’ Union will no longer take an active role in the campaign for marriage equality during the State referendum to be held on May 22.

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Referendum 2015

Explanatory notes

Why are students’ unions involved in this referendum?

Students’ Unions have been involved in the gay and

Bunreacht na hÉireann, will be amended. The proposed

lesbian rights campaign for over forty years. The gay rights

new wording to be inserted into the Irish Constitution under

movement in Ireland began with students in Trinity College

Article 41 is:

Dublin and has been supported by individual students’ unions and the national students’ union, the Union of Students in Ireland, ever since.

Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex.

If citizens vote yes, what changes?

The State referendum in May 22 is about civil marriage, not

Article 41 of the Constitition deals with the family. The

the religious institution of marriage. These are separate

existing text of Article 41 will all remain as it currently

institutions.

stands; the provision will be added as a new section numbered Article 41.4.

The institution of marriage conducted by a religious organisation must be conducted by a State registered

This wording is extremely precise and clear. It is also

solemniser - if not a separate civil ceremony must occur in

self-executing.This means that once Uachtarán na

order for the State to recognise the union. A priest, rabbi,

hÉireann (the Irish President) signs the amendment into

imam or reverend is often a state registered solemniser.

the Constitution same-sex marriage becomes law. There is no question that more than two people may marry as the

If the citizens of Ireland vote yes the Constitution of Ireland,

amendment states ‘two persons’.

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Referendum 2015

Explanatory notes

There has been a lot of talk about children Those on the no side believe they are acting in the best

to repeal the legislation and end access to civil

interests of children by calling for a no vote. They argue that

partnerships. Only a referendum could repeal civil marriage.

children fair better in a family with a mother and father.

Whilst highly unlikely to happen, yes voters argue that this uncertainty is discriminatory and not a secure environment

They also argue that children that are in families parented

to raise children.

by same-sex couples are more likely to be bullied in school.

Same-sex parented families already exist in Ireland. Gay

But gay and lesbians cannot procreate as a couples, isn’t marriage about procreation?

and lesbian couples have been allowed to adopt children as

Nobody disputes that two women or two men cannot

individuals for a number of years. A yes or no vote will not

procreate biologically. It is up to the voter to decide whether

impact on this as adoption is governed by legislation.

the traditional concept of marriage should remain or should the concept of marriage reflect new forms or relationships?

Don’t gay and lesbian couples have access to civil partnership?

The vote that the membership of the students’ union will

Yes. Until recently there were significant differences

take is the stance that the students’ union will take. If you

between civil partnership and marriage. However many of

feel that the Students’ Union should campaign then you

these have now been reconciled. The major legal difference

may wish to vote yes. If you believe that status-quo should

between both is the constitutional protection afforded to civil

remain in relation to the Irish Constitition, or you believe that

marriage. Civil partnership is governed by and created by

the Students’ Union should play no role in the referendum

legislation. It is possible for any government in the future

then you may wish to vote no.

Issued By:

Steve Conlon Returning Officer Dublin City University Students’ Union

Marriage Equality Referendum