Deputy Prime Minister Eamon Gilmore believes the “time has come” for same-sex marriage

"hollabackgurl" - I have no views whatsoever on the rights or wrongs of ANYBODY living together. It doesn't concern me in the slightest. Why are you trying to put words in my mouth? Is it because there is no argument against what I actually said? Which is - "fall in love, live together" No problem. Yes, there's a word for people like me, beginning with an "H" as you say - it's "Heterosexual". And proud to so be. Now, if you're gay, go ahead and be proud, I'm not disputing your right to be gay and be proud to be gay. Neither am I disputing your right to fall in love and live with the love of your life. Eamon Gilmore seems to think "gay" people cannot do that at present. What utter rubbish! Éamonn, Dublin.

Look to the nations that ARE theocracies and think long and hard about whether that is the path you REALLY want to take before condemning a secular government that protects ALL beliefs.

Bravo Ireland. Makes me proud on my native country people. Marriage is the union of two people committed to creating a loving partnership. The Church has managed to do a pretty good job of destroying the concept of true love whether it be same sex or opposite. Remember -" the greatest of these is love" - that does not say anything about who one can or cannot love. If you are threatened by same sex marriage then I suggest you look at your own marriage or "wedlock!" Live and let love - I say! Carry on in peace and you will find some of the greatest people you encounter have open minds and hearts on this issue. I find that folks opposed to same sex marriage were also opposed to interracial marriage. Sound familiar? This is a great discussion for our time.

Personally, I think it's time for the Government to get out of religious affairs, such as marriage. The only reason there are civil ceremonies at all was so the king could collect marriage license fees. The Govt does as much against the development of families as it does to encourage families nowadays. All laws can be written nowadays be marriage neutral but still require support of proper parties such as children. Let's separate Church and State.

wtf

This is so sad. There is no justification to redefine marriage. Ireland was once one of the greatest Christain nations. Abortion..homosexual marriage..Jesus have mercy on us.

GOOD for him....gays SHOULD have ALL THE SAME RIGHTS AS EVERYONE ELSE....LOVE IS LOVE, NO MATTER THE "GENDER" OR RACE OF THOSE INVOLVED....MARRIAGE IS NOT ABOUT HAVING KIDS OR RELIGION...MARRIAGE IS ABOUT LOVE & PARTNERSHIP....alot of straight couples either DON'T want kids or CAN'T have them....should they be KEPT from marrying too? alisa

You're not old fashioned when you say "What does the Bible say" you're being older than old fashioned Peterson. Thankfully there aren't too many people who refer to the values and attitudes and prejudices of 1400 BC in 2012 AD.

So you advocate couples living together when they're gay but not when they're straight EamonnDublin? Your arguement deconstructs itself and unmasks your real contention - that gay couples aren't worthy of the respect or legal equality you insist on for straight couples. There's a word to describe people like you, it starts with a H too.

Eamon Gilmore said: "I don’t believe for example that it should ever be the role of the State to pass judgement on whom a person falls in love with, or whom they want to spend their life with." So, Mr. Gilmore, who's stopping them at the moment. They can fall in love with whom they want; if the object of their affection feels the same way in reverse (so to speak), then they can spend their lives together. Nobody is stopping them at present. Fall in love, live together! Just as you advocate! Why do they make such a fuss about getting "married"? Éamonn, Dublin, Ireland.

I guess that I am "old Fashioned" when I say "What does the Bible say ?" How about that Mr. Gilmore ? If more people would live by the Bible and not by the words of modern "role models", what a better world this would be !

Well Dick Cheney was happy when his daughter married her girlfriend.. So if it is okay with Cheney then it is okay in Ireland as well

There has never been a 'society based on atheism and hedonism' except for Las Vegas and it seems to be doing just fine jhmdeuce.

Jeez! The World's coming to an end !(:o)

jhmdeuce -- Thanks for telling us in Ireland what we should be doing. We'll call back if we need more advice.