This week the government of our southerly neighbours has announced that in 2015 the decision on whether or not to allow same sex couples to marry will be put to referendum. This follows the success of the Same-Sex Marriage Bill in England and Wales, and the Northern Ireland Assembly famously voting down a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in April.

The Irish Government legislation currently allows for same sex couples to enter into civil partnership, but not to be married.

I personally am very supportive of same sex marriage. I think it’s great and should be allowed. Even better are the reports that suggest that the Irish Government shares my view, and will be heavily supporting the approval of gay couples to marry.  But I think their approach is responsible to their voters, more so perhaps than our friends in Britain. While in my personal opinion it is great to see the Same-Sex marriage Bill passed in England and Wales, they didn’t directly consult the public; a referendum is much more thorough and appropriate for attempting to settle such a highly contested issue.

I have no doubt that the referendum will face stiff opposition, more than likely in the form of the Catholic Church.  Although The Catholic Church has yet to state publicly if it intends to run a campaign against legalisation, Christianity places a lot of emphasis on the family based on marriage  (between a woman and a man) and many regard this union as a cornerstone of our society.  I imagine that they will fight any change to what is perceived to be the ‘Christian’ nature of marriage.

I like a good referendum, me. While those who sit in our governments are representatives of the people it can be argued that members of the public can struggle to have their voices heard. A referendum has the potential to awaken those people who usually don’t give a toss about politics.  And even if it is to condemn something it still is good to have an active polity.

And this referendum is special, as unlike most other referenda, it isn’t concerned with politics or economics, but rather the extent to which Ireland values its citizens.

The idea for the referendum came from opinion polls, and the overwhelming support for same sex marriage led to the decision to let the Irish people speak. Personally I reckon Stormont should screw their heads on and allow us to have a referendum of our own on the issue, and that it would be good to have our voices heard.