Taoiseach Enda Kenny TD (right) pictured with Dale McDermott, President of Young Fine Gael
Taoiseach, Enda Kenny has today added his support to the campaign to encourage people to register to vote in advance of the upcoming referendum of civil marriage equality in Ireland, at a photocall today with Young Fine Gael President Dale McDermott.
“In 2015, there will be several constitutional referendums, including one on same sex marriage. Fine Gael always encourages people to vote in every constitutional referendum. Registering to vote is a powerful democratic action that ensures that you have your say at local, national and constitutional level on important issues that will affect our country” commented An Taoiseach, Enda Kenny T.D.
A new campaign, Yes Equality – Register to Vote was launched on Monday. It is a joint initiative by The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (GLEN); the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL); and Marriage Equality to encourage people to register to vote this November, ahead of next year’s referendum on civil marriage equality.
Dale McDermott, President of Young Fine Gael added his voice to the Taoiseach’s “Recent polls show that while support for Marriage Equality is at its highest among young people, over one third of people aged between 18 and 25 are not registered to vote. Therefore, they cannot give that all important tick to equality. Today, along with our Taoiseach, we are urging every single young person in the country to check the register”.
Tiernan Brady of Yes Equality said “We are delighted with the Taoiseach’s strong support for the register to vote campaign and his continuing support for civil marriage equality for lesbian and gay people in Ireland. Decisions are made by people who turn up. The upcoming referendum is a pivotal moment in Ireland and we want to ensure that every voice is heard on polling day.”
The Yes Equality Register to Vote campaign was launched on Monday in Cork City by campaigner Joanne O’Riordan, featured in the documentary film ‘No Limbs No Limits’, and Eoin Murphy, goalkeeper for All-Ireland Hurling Champions, Kilkenny.
The deadline for getting on the 2015 register of electors is November 25th.
Ends
For further details contact:
Tiernan Brady, the Gay and Lesbian Equality Network (087) 8505972
Andrew Hyland , Marriage Equality (087) 9088322
Walter Jayawardene, Irish Council for Civil liberties (087)9981574
Editors Note:
For more details of the Yes Equality Campaign, see www.yesequality.ie
The pictures of the event are available at https://www.dropbox.com/sh/11d6c5ksewf7cs6/AADhV9DjkqjdDF7gyeq4zK7Ga?dl=0