Same-sex marriage has been signed into law in Ireland, five months after a historic referendum saw the traditionally Catholic nation become the world’s first country to vote for gay unions.
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Legal challenges to the result had briefly delayed the legislation from coming into effect.
It was signed into law by the Presidential Commission last night, filling in for President Michael D Higgins who is continuing his visit to the United States.
The first same-sex weddings could now take place within just two weeks.
Senator Katherine Zappone called the signing “a defining moment” in Irish history.
“It’s a quiet moment for all of us to feel we now fully belong in Ireland”.
The bold new Gender Recognition Bill, which passed through Parliament in July without issue, includes sweeping changes to allow transgender people to self-declare their gender.
“On 22 May 2015, the people of Ireland showed the scale of their ambition for our society”.
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The Presidential Commission is made up of the Chief Justice, the Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil and the Cathaoirleach of the Seanad.
