The Dáíl has heard calls for Ireland to have another bank holiday – May 23rd, the anniversary of the referendum on marriage equality.

Sinn Féín's Padraig MacLochlainn made the call today, reading from a letter he had received from a gay man who called for Ireland to recognise the anniversary with a bank holiday, as a way of reminding "future generations of the significance of not just our emancipation, but the equality of every citizen." 

MacLochlainn read the letter to the chamber, saying:

"In a hundred years time the 23rd of May will be seen not Ireland's, but one of humanity's proudest moments because it was a day when equality conquered fear.

"Perhaps May 23rd should become a bank holiday, and called equality day? To remind future generations of the significance of not just our emancipation, but the equality of every citizen."

The Marriage Bill was today debated in the Dáil to bring the legislation into effect following May's vote. Ireland will now be the first country to bring in same-sex marriage by popular vote.

In May's vote, 1.2 million people voted in favour of legalising same-sex marriage.

MacLochlainn told the Dáíl that Sinn Féin "welcomes this Bill to the floor of the House with open arms.

"It is a momentous occasion where we as a people come together to end a two tier system of marriage inequality. Marriage is about one thing; love, and a lasting commitment to honour love. Nobody should ever be denied that opportunity."

The Donegal North East TD said it was "quite difficult to sum up the magnitude of this decision and the foundation it has laid" for further expansion "of socio-economic rights to others at the margins of society."

He said it was "an honour ... to legislate for love; for marriage equality."