This In Focus note examines the same-sex marriage referendum held in Ireland on 22 May 2015.
Referendum on Same-Sex Marriage in Ireland (99 KB , PDF)
On 22 May 2015, Ireland held a referendum on same-sex marriage. The referendum questioned whether the electorate would agree to adding the clause, “marriage may be contracted in accordance with law by two persons without distinction as to their sex”, to Article 41 of the Irish Constitution. Results revealed that 62.07 percent of those who participated in the referendum voted in favour of same-sex marriage, making Ireland the first country to legalise same-sex marriage by popular vote.
Following the results, the Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald TD, announced legislative plans to be introduced into the Houses of the Oirechtas by June 2015.
Referendum on Same-Sex Marriage in Ireland (99 KB , PDF)
Arbitration is a form of dispute resolution that enables opposing parties to resolve a disagreement privately through a third party rather than going to court. The Arbitration Bill [HL] would amend the Arbitration Act 1996, the principal legislation governing arbitrations in England and Wales and in Northern Ireland. The changes provided for in the bill would implement recommendations from the Law Commission following consultation with the sector.
![Arbitration Bill [HL]](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/International-trade-568x426.png)
The Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill was announced as part of the King’s Speech in November 2023. It is a bill to enable the implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership. It will amend aspects of domestic legislation on technical trade barriers, government procurement and intellectual property to ensure the UK is compliant when the agreement comes into force.
![Trade (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 4 of 2023–24](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2021/09/Foreign-Policy-VIGs-568x426.jpg)
The Powers of Attorney Bill would introduce changes to the existing process for making and registering lasting powers of attorney (LPA). This would include introducing identity verification when applying to register an LPA and streamlining how individuals could object to the registration. It would allow different processes and evidence to be accepted depending on whether an LPA is made digitally, on paper or a combination of the two. Additionally, it would permit chartered legal executives to certify copies of LPAs.
