Government celebrates progress at Marriage Referendum +10 Conference and commits to continued support and solidarity

Minister for Children, Disability and Equality, Norma Foley, today addressed the Marriage Referendum +10 Conference, which took place at Dublin Castle to mark the tenth anniversary of the historic Marriage Equality referendum result.

Figures from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) reveal that almost 6,000 same-sex marriages have taken place since the legislation was amended. Up to the end of 2024, the CSO recorded 5,865 same sex marriages. 53% of these marriages were male, while 47% were female, with more male same-sex marriages in every year apart from 2022 and 2024. Overall, same-sex marriages now account for approximately 3% of marriages annually.

Speaking at the conference, Minister Foley said: “In May 2015, ten years ago, Ireland made history. We became the first country in the world to vote for equal marriage in a Referendum.

This was a momentous and powerful occasion for the entire country. It represented the coming together of a nation, in a most profound way to show solidarity, kindness and understanding for our fellow citizens.”

The conference was funded with the support of the Department of Children, Disability and Equality. In his address the Secretary General of the Department, Kevin McCarthy, said: “It is my great honour to lead the department’s work to advance the government’s commitment to fostering a safe, fair and inclusive society for all including the LGBTIQ+ community. The core of the department’s mission is to enhance the lives of people in Ireland by upholding rights, promoting equality of opportunity and recognising diversity.

Human rights cannot be advanced without equality; people cannot thrive, and societies cannot progress.

Communities are stronger when everyone is valued and included. We all benefit when every person has the chance to contribute their unique skills and perspectives.”

Tánaiste Simon Harris also spoke at the Conference, highlighting government support at home and abroad for ‘Defending Freedoms and Advancing Human Rights’, the overarching theme of the Conference.

Minister Foley also announced at the Conference that the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2024-2028 and its associated first two-year action plan will be launched later this month. This is the successor strategy to the previous National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy and the LGBTI+ National Youth Strategy.

Under the previous strategies, noted progress has been made in several areas including €5.46 million in funding to 138 projects under the LGBTI+ Community Services fund since 2020 to promote inclusion, protect rights and improve quality of life and wellbeing for LGBTIQ+ people.

Closing her speech, Minister Foley reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building on recent progress: “As we prepare to launch Ireland’s next National LGBTIQ+ Inclusion Strategy, our commitment to improving the lives and protecting the rights of the LGBTIQ+ community remains steadfast. We want Ireland to remain a beacon of equality, democracy and inclusion.”

Photos from the conference are being issued to photo desks by Julien Behal.

Copies of speeches from both Minister Foley, and Secretary General Kevin McCarthy are available on request. Please contact press.office@dcde.gov.ie

Figures compiled by the Central Statistics Office on same-sex marriages since 2016 can be found in the table below: