Same-sex marriage stamp in breach of ruling

Dear Editor, The new postage stamp is, perhaps, a useful reminder of what any government will do to ensure that “its” amendment to the Constitution (of the people) is carried (IC 12/02/2015 ‘Pro-same-sex marriage stamp is criticised’).

Supreme Court judgements have commented adversely on public money being spent by the Government on the Divorce Referendum, and on the Children’s Rights Referendum (CRR), with a view to influencing the public. In the latter case, the Court found that some of the information supplied by the Government was not fair, equal or impartial.

Also, in the case of one of the Nice Referendums, funds were sought by Government from some semi-state bodies to a fund seeking a Yes vote. In the event, and as far as we know, no money was actually paid over, largely as a result of unexpected publicity. An Post was one of those bodies.

The McKenna Judgement of 1995 in the Supreme Court made it clear that changes in the Constitution were a matter for the people alone, uninfluenced by the Government. The refrain in response was “Sorry about that. It’ll never happen again”.

Never? In my view, and despite denials, An Post is now participating with Government in circumventing the McKenna principles.

Yours etc.,

Donal O’Driscoll,

Blackrock,

Co. Dublin.