22-05-2025
Senator ‘doesn't regret voting against same sex marriage' on 10th anniversary of referendum
In May 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalise gay marriage through a popular vote.
Senator Ronan Mullen says he doesn't regret voting against same sex marriage as activists celebrate the 10th anniversary of the historic referendum.
'The more things started kicking off, the more I felt that there were arguments that were more persuasive for keeping the definition of marriage based on the relationship between men and women,' he told Newstalk Breakfast.
'I felt and still think that has a particular social function as the social ideal for the upbringing of children.
'I felt there were other ways of respecting other people's private lives and personal choices - for me, it certainly was never about not respecting private lives and personal choices,' he continued.
Mullen said he thinks a lot of people voted in favour to send a message of love and solidarity to gay people or as a 'social atonement for past cruelties.'
'I just felt those instincts were generous but it was the wrong answer.'
He also said he views 'progressivism' as a 'failing ideology.'
'I think people are seeing that all of these claims for rights are actually in the long-term letting people down.'
The Independent senator said he would still campaign for a 'no vote' if the referendum was held today.
Celebrations following the result of the Marriage Equality Referendum in 2015. Photo: Brian Lawless
'I would reiterate that I wasn't for or against anybody or their private life or personal choices.
'Everybody is expected now to conform to a particular view - this is what we call woke culture,' he said.
'We see it in the way people are made to feel cancelled if they have the wrong ideas.
Mullen said he would support a 'no vote' by making the same argument he made before.
'I would say, 'Marriage is ideally about the upbringing of children and therefore men women relationships matter for that purpose in a way that society should acknowledge.
Senator Rónán Mullen
News in 90 Seconds - May 22nd
''But let's look at how we respect the private lives and the needs and the rights of people - including same sex couples, in fact anybody who is mutually dependent and caring for somebody else.''
In May 2015, Ireland became the first country to legalise gay marriage through a popular vote.
62% of voters said yes to the thirty-fourth amendment of the Irish Constitution.
The act came into force on November 16th 2015, with the very first same sex marriage taking place the following day.
