Following on from my earlier post about the results of the European Parliament elections, here’s a bit of information on the elected candidates in local areas. (Is yours there? Go on, go on, have a gander..!)

Again, it’s based on the MarriagEquality survey carried out prior to the elections: of the responses they received, here are the candidates that were elected and what they said. (If I’ve any omissions or errors, just let me know in the comments!) Starting in the People’s Rebublic..

Cork City – North Central

“I am opposed to all discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and would see the state’s current ban on marriage for same sex couples in that context. The right to marry is a civil right that should be enjoyed by all consenting couples above the legal age limit.”
- Councillor Mick Barry, Socialist Party Candidate

Dublin City – Pembroke-Rathmines

“I support and always have supported equality for gay couples in Ireland. My record on a range of “social” and Civil Liberties during my sixteen years as an elected Public Representative and for many years before that will show that. On what is sometimes seen as a contentious area the adoption of children is my view is that the rights of the child must be the predominant point on which a decision is made. I believe that in a gay and non gay situation.”
- Dermot Lacey, Labour Party Candidate

“Any service, entitlement or benefit conferred by the State on its citizens should be conferred without reference to the sex, race and/or sexual orientation of a citizen. Consequently, since the State does register marriages one must start with the presumption that State involvement in this area should be non-discriminatory.”
- Jim O’Callaghan, Fianna Fail Candidate

Dublin City – South West Inner City

“Equality is about equal treatment and equal rights. Therefore, I would wholeheartedly support the introduction of gay marriage. I believe however that this will require a constitutional referendum, because of the definition of marriage and the family in the constitution. I am aware that there is disagreement between the different LGBT community groups and other stakeholders, as to whether a referendum is an absolute necessity, but I think, we only need look at the current composition of the Supreme Court to realise that it is more conservative than it has been in years, and therefore more unlikely to give a progressive interpretation. This would mean going to the people on the question of marriage which I support. In the meantime, we need to protect and support the gay and lesbian couples, who are now in need of rights. We can pass legislation, such as legislating for civil unions (which Labour has twice proposed – with all rights on a par with marriage) and protect those families now. I am particularly concerned, as I have met people who are worrying constantly, if their death would bankrupt their partner or if their children would legally be strangers to their partner, were they to die.”
- Rebecca Moynihan, Labour Party Candidate

South Dublin County Council – Tallaght Central

“As a socialist and a Labour Party candidate, I am proud to be an advocate for equal marriage rights for same sex couples. Equality is the fundamental mission of the Labour Party, and the right of two people to marry regardless of gender is one which we have been to the fore on. I sincerely hope that those involved in this campaign for equality will support Labour this June.”
- Dermot Looney, Labour Party Candidate

Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown County Council – Ballybrack

“ I support equal marriage rights for same sex couples.”
- Councillor Carrie Smyth, Labour Party

Fingal – Howth/Malahide

“So far as I am aware, a constitutional change would be required to allow equal rights for same sex couples. While I have no personal difficulty with such a referendum this is clearly not a local election matter.”
- Cllr. Alan Farrell, Fine Gael

“As someone who has campaigned for full lgbt equality since my student days and who has been active in the campaign for civil marriage, and as an openly gay candidate, I support 100% civil marriage and full equality now.”
- Cian O’Callaghan, Labour Party Candidate

Fingal – Mulhuddart

“The Socialist Party candidates and I fully support the right of same-sex couples to have equal marriage rights and full equality regarding all legal rights. I am happy to support the campaign.”
- Councillor Ruth Coppinger, Socialist Party Candidate

Fingal – Swords

“I would support civil unions for same sex couples who should be able to legally make the same commitments to each other as married couples and have the same legal benefits at rights offered under law with regard to survivorship, property, pensions, etc.”
- Councillor Darragh Butler, Fianna Fáil

Galway City – Central

“Labour in government will bring about constitutional change to provide for full equality between heterosexual and homosexual couples. I am totally supportive of our party’s national policy to improve the position and well-being of the LGBT community.”
- Councillor Billy Cameron, Labour Party

Galway County Council – Connemara

“It’s difficult enough to find love in this world and where two same sex individuals find love and wish to have this recognised and acknowledged by the Irish State then this should be made possible via civil marriage. This will provide equality and protection to these couples”.
- Councillor Sean Kyne, Fine Gael

Galway County Council – Loughrea

“In my opinion, same-sex couples should have same equality and entitlements as married couples or co-habiting people once they can prove that are supporting each other financially, joint bank accounts etc.”
- Gerry Finnerty, Fianna Fail Candidate

Kildare County Council – Kildare

“I used to do a lot of work with the LGBT community back in my SU days. I was the Dep Pres in TCD back in 2001/2002 where I worked closely with LGBSOC (as it was) and our own LGB officer on lots of issues, including a high profile campaign around blood donations. As it happens, I wrote a piece for my blog nearly 2 years ago on the issue of same-sex marriage (and more general civil unions) and adoption rights -http://blog.tonyodonnell.ie/?p=30.

I personally believe that if the State confers rights around inheritance, taxation, property, etc. to stable couples, then they do not have the right to discriminate based on the orientation or circumstances of that couple. However, I am yet to be convinced on the issue of adoption. I believe that adoption is not an automatic right of any potential parent, and the system should only focus on the best interests of the child. I would be against a blanket ban on same-sex adoption, as I think there are circumstances where an existing connection is more important to the child irrespective of orientation (see the blog piece). However, I am yet to be convinced that there should be adoption equality between heterosexual and same-sex couples. As I said in the article, this may be due to social conditioning rather than any sophisticated philosophical viewpoint. I am prepared to be open-minded on this, but I have yet to be persuaded.”
- Tony O’Donnell, Fine Gael Candidate

Kildare County Council – Naas Town Council

“ I do not have any issue with same sex couples getting married.”
- Councillor Darren Scully, Fine Gael

Kildare County Council – Newbridge Town Council

“Michael Nolan Kildare – Believes Churches should look after their own business but in terms of civil marriage, he believes in equality for all people, irrespective of race, gender, sexuality. If 2 people are committed to each other, then he believes that they should have the right to marry.”
- Michael Nolan, Fine Gael Candidate

“I have fully read up on and understand the difference between Civil Partnerships and Civil Marriage.
I support same sex couples and feel that equal rights in terms of tax relief and inheritance rights should be granted equally to same-sex couples and opposite sex couples. The issue of same-sex couples can be both emotive and complicated but ultimately the rights of everyone to be treated equally, regardless of sexual orientation, is paramount in a liberal democratic society.”
- Emma Kiernan, Fine Gael

Leitrim County Council – Ballinamore

“I wish to confirm I am in support of your cause. .”
- Gordon Hughes, Fine Gael Candidate

Waterford City – East

“I believe that all people have the right to choose who they decide to have a relationship with, whether that is of opposite or same sex should not be an issue. I also believe that the state should support this; I would be very much in favour of equal marriage rights for all”
- Gary Wyse, Fianna Fail Candidate

Wexford County Council – Gorey Town Council

“I fully support equal marriage rights for same sex couples and have raised the issue with successive Justice Ministers. I am particularly concerned at the delays in bringing forward even the basic Civil Partnership legislation. Local authorities must allow ensure that they do not in any way discriminate against any person or persons on the basis of their sexual orientation.”
- Malcolm Byrne, Fianna Fail Candidate
_____

So, there they are: some of the politicos in your areas, on your doorsteps, your local rep for their party (where applicable). It’s interesting to note that some of the responses seem to think that marriage equality isn’t a local issue. Who do they think the voters are in their area? You can provide them with an answer..!

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