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26/04/2013
DUP Table Petition Of Concern On Same Sex Marriage Motion
DUP Chief Whip Peter Weir has confirmed the Party has tabled a Petition of Concern on the same sex marriage motion, which has been tabled by Sinn Fein for debate in the Assembly next week.
The Chief Whip said: "It is only a few months since the Assembly last debated this issue and views were clearly expressed at that time. It has been made very clear that same sex marriage will not be introduced in Northern Ireland and the DUP is tabling a Petition of Concern to ensure that this motion will not be carried.
"We are the only party to have a united position in opposition to the redefinition of marriage. However we also do not believe that a Constitutional Convention in the Republic of Ireland should have any input into policy, which is wholly a matter for representatives in this part of the United Kingdom to decide.
"The debate on Monday will only result in further embarrassment for those parties and individuals who avoid telling the electorate where they stand."
(CD/MH)
The Chief Whip said: "It is only a few months since the Assembly last debated this issue and views were clearly expressed at that time. It has been made very clear that same sex marriage will not be introduced in Northern Ireland and the DUP is tabling a Petition of Concern to ensure that this motion will not be carried.
"We are the only party to have a united position in opposition to the redefinition of marriage. However we also do not believe that a Constitutional Convention in the Republic of Ireland should have any input into policy, which is wholly a matter for representatives in this part of the United Kingdom to decide.
"The debate on Monday will only result in further embarrassment for those parties and individuals who avoid telling the electorate where they stand."
(CD/MH)
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MPs in Westminster are set to vote this afternoon, 09 July, on whether or not to legalise same-sex marriage in Northern Ireland. A debate on the matter came about as a bill to keep the region running in the absence of Stormont's devolved government advances through Parliament.
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