Same-sex marriage referendum wording agreed by Cabinet

The wording for the same-sex marriage referendum has been agreed at a special Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday morning.

The meeting was convened to finalise wording on the two referendums to be held in May.

The referendum wording is: “Marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex”.

The other proposes to amend the Constitution to reduce the eligible age for a Presidential candidate from 35 to 21.

Sources have told The Irish Times that the enabling legislation for both referendums will now be prepared, for publication this week.

It is also understood that work is well advanced on the Children and Family Relationships Bill, which will provide for gay adoption.

Campaigners for a Yes vote see this law being adopted early in the campaign as vital if the referendum is to be passed.

That Bill is now expected to be published in February and enacted well before the referendum in May.

Early indications are that it will be supported by the main opposition party Fianna Fáil.