Is tongue in cheek a pun though :)

What you are saying is that the Taoiseach must conform to your way of thinking because of his role. I don’t believe that would be a democracy. Nor do I believe that you are saying anything you believe but rather what headquarters told you this morning to say.

See the Rottweiller is out of his kennel.

Nope. The taoiseach is entitled to conform or think whatever way he chooses. We’ however, are entitled to know the opinion of the leader of this country on subjects that affect its citizenry.

Are you the best party HQ has to offer mark??

Whever Enda’s opinion, the party must have a policy, and that should be implemented – end of story.

Its not the gay vote he’s worrying about, its the oap vote. Less likely to support gay marriage and more likely to vote come election time.

He stands for noting, just a third rate cutehoor politician

And the “best ever post” on thejournal.ie award goes to……

Absolutely right U

Theres not a thriving gay scene in Castlebar. there is however a lot of Lovely Mayo Mammies who are suspicious of the “Quares”. Enda doesn’t want to alienate his constituents

Indeed.

Its PLAINLY obvious what what he stands – and thats fair enough – he’s entitled to have an opinion.

As a leader of the nation however, he should show some guts at least and stop allowing himself to constantly being exposed as a man without any balls!
That again to cut to the chase – thats exactly what he’s is allowing himself to be seen as.

Quite honestly, I think he is a man that now after so many acts of cowardice, is what he’s allowing himself to be seen as!

If ye all think he is not a coward – then vote me down with red arrows!

I know who the Taoiseach is and what his political philosophy is and I also know what his religion is and his favourite field sports. You know these also but who are you and maybe you would feel comfortable just giving us your name and political affiliations to avoid the accusation of hypocrite.

That question was directed at United people and Tootrue.

Don’t wore Mr Buttiner, there is no fear Enda Kenny Will give his opinion until some advisor tells him what it is.

Don’t wore Mr Buttimer , there is no fear Enda Kenny Will give his opinion until some advisor tells him what it is.

@Mark. LOL! Says the guy using the fake name and twitter account created the same day he started posting on thejournal.

https://twitter.com/marktheham04

My names my own business as it has no bearing on my opinions. I am not affiliated to or a member of any political party, and have no plans to be.

I hear Buttimer is of that sinful persuasion…..a damn Fine Gaeler

Ah lads….censored……..all I said was that Inda gives me the willies…..

@John: So do gay ghosts!

Jeez, but Enda Kenny must be delighted to have a gay TD to send out to defend him on this one. If the gay TD says it’s ok for our Taoiseach not to have an opinion then it must be ok. I think Enda Kenny’s luck is running out. People are beginning to see him for the coward he is. If he had a kid to hide behind to agree with cuts to education he’d hide behind them too. He really is a piece of work.

I agree I think Enda supports Mick the bull & his bull grab! Quuuuaaaaarrrrs!

Well he can’t in Ireland….

Well I am totally against gay marriage for societal reason rather than religious mores and I am perfectly happy that we have Civil partnership to ensure equality . Am I entitled to that personal view and was I compelled to provide it? If I wish to enter politics do I put it on the record. How dishonest of the soldiers of the Extreme Left to argue this one.

Mark yes you are entitled to your opinion no matter wether its right or wrong.But Enda as the leader of this country has a duty to represent all the citizens of the state,not just the catholic grey vote in Mayo.

@Mark, I’m making the assumption that you’re straight, based on the fact that you think civil partnership offers us equality. CP is NOTHING on full equality. Yes I’m glad it’s there, but I can’t help feeling it’s to shut gay people up rather than make us happy.

We won’t stop until we get full equality.

The problem with that argument is that the majority of people in this country do not approve of same sex marriage. So, if Enda were to represent their views, as you suggest, he would come done on the no side. The problem is that the majority view is usually wrong on these matters. If we only ever follow the majority view homosexual acts would still be illegal and we would still have hanging. When the majority are wrong, as in the case of same sex marriage, you bring them around by persuasion, not headline grabbing tactics to embarrass the taoiseach. His personal opinion is his own and probably driven by religous beliefs. what matters is not what he believes as an individual but what he does as head of government.

@ Ben Gunn

Please, please point us all to the statistics that shows a majority are against allowing gays (or lesbians) to marry!
Please do, we shall await your answer.

You say “When the majority are wrong, as in the case of same sex marriage…”
Please prove to us that its wrong!
Please do, we shall await your answer.

@United people of Ireland firstly there is no law preventing gay men or lesbian women getting married, it is same sex marriage which is not permitted, secondly whether a majority view is right or wrong on any issue is a subjective view and I expressed mine finally the proof of the majority opinion is contained in the most recent Eurobarometer report which shows that only 41% of Irish interviewed agree that same sex marriage should be permitted throughout Europe placing Ireland 13th on list of those in favour.

I have tried to post THREE links that shows the MAJORITY of the Irish people wants same sex marriage.

One poll is from the Journal.ir
One poll is from the Irish Times.
One poll is from The Irish Independent.

A google search using the words “ireland gay marriage poll” will bring them up.

Now Ben Gunn – please tell us where an “Irish majority’ says they will not support it and point to that more foreign based inaccurate poll is please!

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2010/0915/1224278900109.html

http://www.thejournal.ie/poll-should-ireland-introduce-same-sex-marriage-446094-May2

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/elections/opinion-polls/more-than-six-in-10-now-want-samesex-marriage-legalised-2554026.html

Show me the job description where the Taoiseach has to answer to a mob.

As an elected TD and an elected national leader, via one democratic process or another, he’s supposed to be speaking for us at home and abroad.

He has to answer – or should to any mob, to address their concerns.
Especially when a ‘mob’ just might be the people of the Irish nation!

You know, the one he’s supposed to be speaking for!
…But I forget – he don’t like speaking when it might lose him votes!

Whoops Brian I think you just described something that would have taken place in totalitarian States rather than a democracy. The Taoiseach is not obliged to tell us whether he prefers Guinness to Murphy’s or Blondes to Brunettes. That’s how ridiculous the postings have become.
Is it not interesting that when I posted my dislike for gay marriage it was immediately assumed I was straight. When I tackled someone on there extreme left wing views I was immediately labelled as a spokesperson for Fine Gael. And you folks believe the Taoiseach has a duty to tell you his opinion on a subject he has stated would compromise the working of a Commission he is about to appoint.
What I see here is the pack forming and losing reason as it swells. Let’s just get a sense of balance.

And are you gay Mark?

Funny, Mark, I was under the impression that the Taoiseach worked for the people of Ireland, not the other way around.

I also would have no problem if he were to say something along those lines as everyone, elected official or not, is entitled to their opinion. what I do have a problem with is the fact that a referendum is required. I do not think it is fair that the majority gets to vote on rights for the minority, even if it seems that the majority is in favour.

I don’t want my tax monies spent on a referendum that is totally unnecessary.

Well Mark it is necessary, regardless if you like it or not.

Surely the right to marry the person you love would not need to be decided by a referendum ,I would have thought it would be a human right.

Cormac the only momentum for a referendum is from a handful of loggers on the Journal. Even their total readership is minuscule when compared to any provincial newspaper but they love this type of issue because it attracts more readers.
If you read the National newspapers the extreme views as posted here wouldn’t get past the most junior of sub editors so this type of medium tends to attract a high proportion of extreme or wacko views.

You are right there Mark. The fact that you’re still posting here on The Journal proves that extreme and wacko views are unfortunately not noticed by the editors.

Clearly they have advised him to dodge this question more than national TV debates, TV3 reporters – not just Vincent Brown and than answering direct questions in the Dail without the waffle instead of a a plain “yes” or “No”.
Heaven forbid he might have to asked some real hard questions (and not given the soft approach by RTE, after all, they have to look after their money which they gain via government decisions – can’t upset the hand that feeds you!) .

Is that you Gerry?

@UnitedPeople Ireland (or maybe not) An xenophobic homophile, what an interesting combination! The poll I referred to was the Standard Eurobarometer issue 66. There is no point in quoting poll against poll untill you find the one that most agrees with. Accept the fact that public opinion in general is moving towards acceptance of single sex marriage. Support from the 15 to 34 age is well established. The task is to gain majority support in the 45 plus group. You do not achieve this by attempting to embarrass senior politicians who are obliged to seek solutions based on consensus. To do otherwise would be to open up another avenue for bigotry.

@ Ben Gunn

I’m personally delighted that we are moving towards same sex marriage – and I know from more Irish polls taken that the majority are indeed still in favour of such.

There are 160 differences between marriage and civil partnership they are listed on the marriage equality website

@waterford Drop the ‘we’ shite and speak for yourself.

Why would it?

Explain please.

What?!
How would giving his opinion on the matter make it impossible?!

He gave his opinion on the #EUref & the #oirref before them.

Does this mean no government minister can have an opinion on anything that might end up in a referendum ?
More continuity FF policies
He could hardly climb croagh Patrick if he expressed a opinion in favour.

Well done on getting your comment on VB last night btw.Defending the indefensiable.

Davids just trying out the new spin from party HQ that forcing enda to speak on the issue might jeopardise a referendum and therefore jeopardise the possibility of gay marriage becoming law.

From the “dont’ rock the boat or the IMF will have to come in/don’t rock the boat or we won’t have access to the ESM” school of thought so favoured by politicians.

If the US President can give an opinion on it, then the Irish Taoiseach is taking the mickey by saying it’s not right for a leader to express an opinion on the matter.

Hi Enda.

The idea that you’re calling people on here cowards as opposed to Enda “Elected leader of a country; can’t give an honest answer” Kenny

Same comment applies to the Kieran Rose column earlier. Comments are not showing on iPhone, so I read them on a PC. Lots of anonymous saps.

When it comes to “cowards” – Enda is leading parade!
…It will never be a gay one though!

Wow Kieran..straight from the heart and so true. They hide and slither and accuse and grumble and complain and whinge and moan and they do it non stop. They couldn’t be married or be in civil partnership because nobody could stand them for more than a few minutes.

Must show the wife that comment, Mark, she’ll get a good laugh from it, y’know, if shes not too busy with her ‘not being able to stand’ me thing……

You are just a coward hiding behind Waterford you should be hanging out with all the Billy bum cheeks up north with your pathetic views.

He can have his religion but stop forcing it on others. This has nothing to do with the church.

I have to disagree with you there Waterford. State and church should be seperate. There is no arguement. Ireland is not a Catholic country that notion is long gone. There is nothing wrong or immoral about the issue either. While he is Taoiseach his religious beliefs should not come into this matter. If he personally is not comfortable with it that is his opinion. A couple of years ago Fine Fail said they would never support gay marriage and yet now they are. If the day comes where gay marriage is legalised in Ireland the sky won’t come falling down believe me I think we have a few more worries like getting our Economy back on track. It would be an excellent thing if it happened but so many leaders around the world have came out in support of gay marriage. He is actually making it worse by not giving a clear answer. I wouldn’t be losing sleep over.

Better hand back my passport, I didn’t realise I had to be a Catholic to be Irish. My mistake.

it really annoys me when people say crap like “We are a Catholic country and it goes against the church”…..

It also goes against “Catholic belief” to rape, lie and cover up things that should be public knowledge, but the Catholic church are experts at all that!

Being gay has nothing to do with religion and it’s about time people like Enda Kenny stopped hiding behind it.

Whether you like it or not Ireland IS a Roman Catholic country and politicians know how to count. 84% of the population declared themselves to be Roman Catholic in the 2011 census. I know it pissed me off too!

Ireland is not defined as a Catholic country. Church and state are completely separate. Get your facts right Waterford.

John, 73% support gay marriage though….. So a good proportion of the 84% didn’t agree with catholicism’s archaic view on the matter.

Ireland declared itself to be a Roman Catholic country Mark – 84% of the people did in the last census. As census figures are used to inform Government and State policy unfortunately official Ireland will adhere to Rome Rule for some time to come.

The more stuff changes the less it changes eh?

Michael
Then why in hell would they align themselves with an organization that openly discriminates against the LGBT community?

Plenty of Catholics choose what parts to believe in. Many simply tick it on the census because they were baptised. Either way, Ireland is moving on from unquestioning support of the church. http://www.breakingnews.ie/ireland/ojeyausncwcw/

John Murphy
The catholic church! Another criminal organisation. Has causes more harm than good in this country in the last 50 years. This god fella is less visual and vocal than Bell-Enda. We have an elderly man (pope) who sits on a throne of gold and receives ‘messages’ in how to guide the faithful, millions of people suffer from starvation, disease and abuse. These people die while your ‘leader’ talks shit. 3/4 of Isaiah people believe in gay marriage. Bell-Enda works for them. If his opinion differs he should get out of the way

That was meant to read Irish people

Michael:
I don’t buy it. The Roman Church will continue to influence official policy and political manoeuvrings as long as people are prepared to support that organization by declaring their affiliations to it and all just because they were baptised when the had no choice! It’s nuts!!

Mark:
”My leader” as you choose to call him, works for no other than the corporate elite that fill the coffers of his disgusting political party. From time to time (every five years or so) he will come out with some populist BS that he understands will garner himself, and his party votes by relying on feedback by the Irish people such as declaring themselves to be Roman Catholic in the census.

Waterford, as has been said, 3/4 of the country is in favour, or at least not opposed to gay marriage. Kenny is the head of our elected government. That term elected in the context of democracy entitles us to have our majority views addressed and expressed by our representatives. Aside from some standard reasoning, is the only reason you are particularly against gay marriage because the Roman Catholic church has said that they are against it? Do you have anything moral against it? Or is it simply that they have said it is so, and so you follow? If that’s the case, then were you okay with the moving around of priests guilty of rape and abuse, simply because the church ordered it? I have serious problems with those opinions that believe the law dictates morality, given that the law is subject to change now and then, based on context etc. But when that becomes religion dictating ideology in the form of law to pass itself off as morality, then we are into some seriously hot water.

John, it doesn’t take a veteran political scientist or career politician to note the narrow chasm between those who identify in the census as being Catholic and those that believe in gay marriage. Once that is recognised the government can recognise that the issue needs to be addressed. Furthermore, given the separation of church and state, it should not be seen as a problem when elected officials, on behalf of the electorate, begin to change the landscape of archaic prejudice within their country.

John Murphy
People tucked the RC box not being practicing Catholics but based in their baptism. I was baptised RC. Am I therefore obliged to tick the same box? The leader I was referring to was the pope but you are right. Bell-Enda is an evil entity

Jeazus! Me comment disappeared before it even got there! I’ll be more restrained this time… I don’t like the pope either.

@ John Murphy, 84% may have ticked that box, but I bet 84% don’t follow the churches teachings… condoms are sinful, don’t beat the bishop etc. Tide has turned on the RCC, gay marriage is inevitable.