Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is important to have certainty on such a sensitive issue on which there are so many views.

The best way to achieve this is by way of vote of the people in respect of the Constitution. Deputy Higgins will recall that in the drafting of the civil partnership arrangements, the legal advice was that marriage might not be constitutional if that happened. If an attempt was made to introduce legislation in this regard, we would be leaving ourselves open to challenge as a consequence. That aside, it is important that the people of the country are able to reflect on this in a calm, considered and compassionate way so that they can make their views known at the ballot box in the context of the referendum.

Deputy Higgins will be aware that the Minister for Justice and Equality recently published the heads of the children and family relationships Bill, which is to create a legal edifice to underpin diverse parenting situations and to provide for legal clarity on parental rights and duties in what are now diverse family forms. Following enactment of that legislation, the question in relation to same-sex marriage will become clearer. I have already indicated that I propose to support that referendum and will campaign in favour of it. It is important there is certainty on this issue, which can and hopefully will be provided by the people in a referendum which we hope to hold in the spring of 2015. As I said, I hope the debate around that particular referendum will be calm, considered and compassionate.

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