Irish president signs marriage equality into law

The Presidential Commission, which includes the Chief Justice, the chair of the House of Representatives and the chair of the Senate, signed the legislation in place of President Michael Higgins, who is now in the U.S.

The Gay and Lesbian Equality Network, an Irish advocacy group, on its Twitter page praised the commission for signing the law.

It became the first country in the world to introduce same-sex marriage by popular vote in May, when over 60% of voters supported the referendum.

Legal challenges to the result had briefly delayed the legislation from coming into effect.

However, after the Seanad passed the bill last week, all that is needed now is a commencement order from the justice minister and the first weddings could take place in two weeks.

In a statement this evening Senator Katherine Zappone and her partner Dr Ann Louise Gilligan have welcomed the news.

“It is a deeply emotional moment for those of us who have campaigned for so long”, Zappone said in a statement.

That referendum paved the way for lawmakers to pass a bill last week allowing same-sex couples to marry.