Irish PM Enda Kenny: It Will Be Close

RTE reports:

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has joined a number of leading Irish sports people to call for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum on same-sex marriage. Earlier, Mr Kenny said he believed the referendum result would be a lot closer than the polls indicate. Meanwhile, the group Mothers and Fathers Matter has released new posters in its campaign for a No vote in the referendum on 22 May. The Catholic Primate of All-Ireland Archbishop Eamon Martin has repeated his call for a No vote in the referendum.

In Lourdes this morning, Dr Martin said that in the coming days the people of Ireland would be asked to vote in a referendum which would change the meaning of marriage and family in the Constitution of Ireland. He said the Bishops of Ireland were clear that they could not support this amendment and they had asked the people of Ireland to reflect and pray very carefully before voting.

Speaking on TV3 today, Mr Kenny said Ireland had gone on a journey from decriminalisation of homosexuality, non-discrimination in the workplace, Civil Partnership Bill, the Child and Family Bill and now a move towards marriage. Mr Kenny described the referendum as a "first in world terms" in that the question was being put towards the electorate. He said the referendum had nothing to do with religious ceremonies or children.

Mothers And Fathers Matter are claiming that people are defacing their posters and bragging about it on social media.

(Tipped by JMG reader Arthur)