Carey to attend Yes vote launch

Former Fianna Fáil minister Pat Carey, who recently spoke publicly about his sexuality for the first time, will be among those attending the launch today of a campaign for a Yes vote in the same sex-marriage referendum.

Mr Careywill be joined by Minister for Communications Alex White and Minister for Children James Reilly.

Dr Reilly said yesterday a No result in the marriage equality referendum would send out a “bad message internationally” to those who want to come and work in Ireland.

Social justice campaigner Sr Stanislaus Kennedy and Amnesty International executive director Colm O’Gorman will also attend today’s event bringing together trade unions, women’s groups and youth organisations advocating for a Yes vote on May 22nd.

Broadcaster Charlie Bird will be the MC.

Debate on the proposed legislation containing the wording of the referendum will begin in the Dáil tomorrow.In advance of the debate, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald is today expected to publish the general scheme of the Marriage Bill 2015, which will outline the legislative changes that will be required in the event of the referendum passing.

Meanwhile, Independent TD Mattie McGrath has claimed some Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil Oireachtas members privately oppose the same-sex marriage referendum but are unable to say so.

The Tipperary deputy recently became the first TD to publicly indicate he was unlikely to vote Yes.