LEO: NORTH READY FOR WEDDED BLISS

Taoiseach tells Belfast Pride equal marriage is only ‘a matter of time’

TAOISEACH Leo Varadkar said yesterday it is “only a matter of time” until same sex marriage is legalised in the North.

Speaking at a Pride event in Belfast, Mr Varadkar said he was attending as a gesture of “solidarity and support” for individual freedom and equality.

The DUP is strongly opposed to samesex marriage but the Taoiseach insisted he was not there “to unsettle anyone”.

He added: “I am here to state my support and my Government’s support for equality before the law and individual freedom for all citizens wherever they may reside.

“My reason really for being here is just to express solidarity, to express my support and that of my Government, for individual freedom and equality before the law for all citizens. We would do this in any part of the world.”

The North is the only part of the UK and Ireland where same-sex unions are not legal.

Although the DUP didn’t oppose Mr Varadkar’s attendance at the event, a small group of Free Presbyterians staged a protest across the road.

Asked if he believed gay marriage would be introduced in the North, Mr Varadkar – who is openly gay – replied: “I do, I think it’s only a matter of time.

“Of course, the decision is for the Northern Ireland Assembly.

“But I am confident that, like other western European countries, they will make that decision in due course.”

The Taoiseach said the march was the biggest to take place in the North this year and described it as a “celebration of diversity and difference”.

He added he was also pleased the Police Service of Northern Ireland and An Garda Siochana were marching in the parade in uniform for the first time.

Mr Varadkar didn’t take part in the parade himself but nine gardai travelled to Belfast to do so.

He said: “Doesn’t that say something really good about Northern Ireland and the way it has developed as a society in the past 10 or 20 years?” Mr Varadkar added the size of the parade reflected “what Northern Ireland will look like and the Northern Ireland of the future”.

Asked was this the “new normal”, Mr Varadkar replied: “I hope so.”

He added he did not raise the issue with DUP leader Arlene Foster when he met her on Friday, but advised her of his views previously.

The Taoiseach said he knew the North “well enough” and believed public opinion on gay marriage had “moved on a long time ago”.

james.ward@irishmirror.ie