2015 Irish constitutional referendums explained

The government of Ireland held referendums on 22 May 2015 on two proposed amendments to the Constitution of Ireland which had been recommended by the Constitutional Convention.^[1] The amendment to permit same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland was approved by 62–38% of the voters.^[2] The other amendment would have reduced the age of candidacy for the President of Ireland from 35 to 21, but voters rejected it by 73–27%. A Dáil by-election in Carlow–Kilkenny was held on the same day. Other amendments were considered but not proceeded with, including reducing the voting age from 18 to 16, and sanctioning the establishment of a Unified Patent Court.^{[3] [4]}

Same-sex marriage

See main article: Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland. Voters were asked whether to add to the Constitution that "marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex".^[5] The proposal was supported by the Government as well as all major political parties,^{[6] [7] [8]} and was approved by 62.07% of voters.^[9]

Presidential candidacy age

See main article: Thirty-fifth Amendment of the Constitution Bill 2015. Voters rejected a proposal to reduce the age of eligibility to run for president from 35 to 21 by a 73% to 27% margin.^[10]

Notes and References

1. News: Ireland Sets Date For Same Sex Marriage Vote. 20 February 2015. Sky News. 20 February 2015. 4 March 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304093607/http://news.sky.com/story/1430730/ireland-sets-date-for-same-sex-marriage-vote. live.
2. News: Wording of same-sex marriage referendum published. 21 January 2015. RTÉ.ie. 26 January 2015. 21 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621072747/https://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0121/674602-marriage-equality/. live.
3. News: Government to hold up to half a dozen referendums next year . . 14 August 2014 . 16 December 2014 . 16 November 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181116050704/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/government-to-hold-up-to-half-a-dozen-referendums-next-year-1.1896357 . live .
4. News: Coalition abandons plan for poll on younger voting age. Collins. Stephen. 15 January 2015. The Irish Times. 27 January 2015. 2 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190302073834/https://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/coalition-abandons-plan-for-poll-on-younger-voting-age-1.2066152. live.
5. News: Wording of same-sex marriage referendum published. RTÉ. 21 January 2015. 21 January 2015. 21 June 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190621072747/https://www.rte.ie/news/2015/0121/674602-marriage-equality/. live.
6. News: Sheahan. Fionnan. Government to call for Yes vote for gay marriage. 6 November 2013. Irish Independent. 5 November 2013. 24 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190524212114/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/government-to-call-for-yes-vote-for-gay-marriage-29728937.html. live.
7. News: Fine Gael will take stance on gay marriage, says Kenny. 10 February 2014. Independent.ie. 21 January 2015. 9 August 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180809152833/https://www.independent.ie/irish-news/fine-gael-will-take-stance-on-gay-marriage-says-kenny-29994343.html. live.
8. News: Fine Gael says 'yes' to same-sex marriage but 'no' to legalising cannabis. 1 March 2014. TheJournal.ie. 21 January 2015. 31 May 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190531200628/https://www.thejournal.ie/alan-shatter-fine-gael-cannabis-same-sex-marriage-1339638-Mar2014/. live.
9. News: Results received at the Central Count Centre for the referendum on the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill 2015. . Referendum Ireland . 23 May 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150809115721/http://www.referendum.ie/results.php?ref=10 . 9 August 2015 .
10. url=Web site: Referendum 2015: Home . 31 July 2015 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150729084643/http://www.referendum.ie/results.php?ref=11 . 29 July 2015.