Article 41.3 of the Constitution states: "The State pledges itself to guard with special care the institution of marriage ... and to protect it against attack". If the referendum proposals are accepted by the people and passed, will there be favourable measures that apply to married couples that will not apply to persons in a durable relationship? What favourable measures that apply to married couples now will continue in the event that this is passed?

If the referendums are passed and the Constitution is so amended, it will still be possible for future governments and the Oireachtas to discriminate in favour of people who are married. That will not change. It will obviously be up to the Oireachtas and Government at the time to decide exactly on what basis they wish to favour or discriminate in favour of people who are married.