MARRIAGE BETWEEN SAME-SEX couples is now enshrined in Irish law after President Michael D. Higgins this evening gave legal effect to May’s referendum.

Áras an Úachtaráin has confirmed that President Higgins this evening signed the Thirty-Fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015.

The amendment was put to the Irish people in a referendum on 22 May and was passed by a margin of 62% to 38%.

There has been some delay in enacting the result of the referendum after a number of legal challenges were brought to the result.

But this evening, Áras an Úachtaráin has confirmed that Irish constitution has now been officially changed to reflect the right of same-sex couples to marry.

Minister for Justice and Equality Frances Fitzgerald this evening welcomed the signature by the President of the constitutional provision.

The department added that the government with introduce a Dáil bill next month that will make the necessary changes to allow the first such marriages to take place.

“In the coming weeks, we will see the new Marriage Bill 2015 introduced to make the necessary changes in the law and to make it a reality that in Ireland in 2015, marriages will be possible between people without distinction as to their sex,” the minister said this evening.

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