Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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34. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans on the passage of a marriage equality Bill through Dáil Éireann; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27074/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, there is a stay on certification of the referendum result by the Returning Officer pending the hearing of two appeals by individuals to the Court of Appeal in relation to the High Court's refusal of leave to petition the provisional referendum certificate. This means that the Thirty Fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill cannot be signed into law at this point by the President in accordance with Article 46 of the Constitution. A Marriage Bill for the purposes of implementing the necessary legislative changes to give effect to the constitutional amendment set out in Thirty Fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Bill therefore cannot be published and introduced in the Dáil at this time. Depending on the outcome of the appeal process and the court's determination, I would expect, if appropriate, to bring a Marriage Bill to Government for approval and introduction into to this House as soon as possible thereafter.