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John Waters - The No side are being "scared into silence"

Today journalist John Waters joined Shane Coleman on the Sunday Show to discuss his opposition to...
Newstalk
Newstalk

15.23 3 May 2015


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John Waters - The No side are...

John Waters - The No side are being "scared into silence"

Newstalk
Newstalk

15.23 3 May 2015


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Today journalist John Waters joined Shane Coleman on the Sunday Show to discuss his opposition to the same-sex marriage referendum and the launch of his new group First Families First.

Here's what he said:

On why he is opposed

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"I believe the issue isn't actually same-sex marriage per se - it's the effect this will have on the constitution."

"When you put in a new definition of family... you will by definition dilute the existing concepts."

"What can it [the word 'natural' as used in the constitution] mean in relation to a man and a man?"

On what might happen?

"In that [Children and Family Relationships] bill, there's a provision... that allows a judge to revoke guardianship and custody rights from a parent."

"[A gay couple with a child from a previous marriage] can now claim sold custody of children from the first marriage and in effect they can sideline the first parent."

"The bill and the same-sex marriage referendum will have the effect of disenfranchising the first parent, the natural parent."

"We believe that what this amendment will do is to negate the biological connection between parent and children."

"I believe it possible to bring in a model of gay marriage in Ireland which will not offend the constitution."

"[The government] want to suck away the rights of families."

"It will give people the same rights, but they'll be at a much lower base than they are now."

On debate around the referendum

"When someone puts up an argument, they blandly say that you're scaremongering."

"They do not have the right to become the central normative model of this society and change everything in doing so."

"One is not allowed to have a nuanced or subtle view on [gay marriage]."

"To be honest, I'm no that concerned with gay marriage."

"People are fighting the idea that you need to have balance."

On the Yes campaign

"The climate of intimidation and menace has been so acute that people are being scared into silence."

"People who are in uniforms have an added responsibility to show neutrality and to show disinterest in political issues."

"The mainstream media has been contaminated by internet values."

On his 'reemergence' in public life

"I have serious questions about the future of this democracy as a democracy, given what I've seen."

"What we have are activists with laptops, not journalists."

"There's no control anymore or oversight."

You can listen to the interview in full below:

John Waters - The No side are being "scared into silence"

00:00:00 / 00:00:00

However Head of Amnesty Ireland and advocate for the Yes side Colm O'Gorman has rejected Mr Waters' comments that those on the No side of the marriage referendum debate are being 'scared into silence'.

He says we should focus on the question being asked in the referendum and not on 'tactics' as a diversion:


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