Oireachtas

Same-sex marriage vote to be held in May, says Kenny

Referendum on lowering age for presidential candidates scheduled for same day in 2015

Taoiseach Enda Kenny: told the Dáil the Coalition had not decided “on a final date yet”. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Taoiseach Enda Kenny: told the Dáil the Coalition had not decided “on a final date yet”. Photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Michael O'Regan
Tue Dec 16 2014 - 18:34

Referendums on same-sex marriage and lowering the age to contest presidential elections will be held in May of next year, Taoiseach Enda Kenny has said.

“The Government did not decide a final date yet,” he said.

The Taoiseach was replying to questions from Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams in the Dáil.

Mr Kenny said Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald had been authorised to draft the marriage equality Bill, paving the way for the referendum.

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He said the Government would have to establish a referendum commission to deal with the two issues.

Currently, candidates for presidential elections have to be 35 years or older.

Michael O'Regan

Michael O'Regan

Michael O’Regan is a former parliamentary correspondent of The Irish Times