Fianna Fáil makes renewed appeal for voters to back Marriage Equality referendum
Published on: 19 May 2015
Fianna Fáil Director of Elections Niall Collins and Deputy Director of Elections Senator Averil Power have today appealed to party members and supporters to support the Marriage Equality referendum and vote Yes on Friday.
Deputy Collins said: “By voting Yes on Friday we can show Ireland to be a country which values equality and fairness. Marriage is the bedrock of society and I believe it is an institution to be valued and promoted. In fact extending access to marriage to everyone regardless of their gender will only strengthen this important institution.
“A Yes vote on Friday will allow families currently providing loving and nurturing homes for many children to be headed by a married couple with full Constitutional protection. A Yes vote will protect and enhance the position of marriage in Irish society. I am urging all Fianna Fáil members and supporters across the country to back the referendum, to vote Yes and endorse this positive proposal.”
Deputy Director of Elections Senator Averil Power said: “Ireland has made great progress in recent decades but the reality is that for gay and lesbian teenagers they still struggle to come to terms with their sexuality. The fear of rejection in their family and in society is still very real. A strong Yes vote in Friday’s referendum would be an extremely powerful message. Lesbian and gay people simply want the same opportunities in life as their straight friends and siblings, including the right to marry the person they love.”
Deputy Collins concluded: “Fianna Fáil will continue with its nationwide campaign through to the end of the week. Our support for this constitutional amendment was first ratified three years ago at the 2012 Árd Fheis and has been reaffirmed repeatedly since then. But nothing can be taken for granted and every vote will matter on Friday to carry the Yes campaign to victory.”