The marriage of a man and a woman has a special position in Irish society and in the Irish Constitution. It is the  only form of human relationship that has the status of a social institution. This special status is now deemed by some people to be inherently discriminatory in that is ‘discriminates’ against all other types of families.

This short paper will briefly set out the argument in favour of giving traditional marriage continued special status. It will set out the reasons why it deserves the standing of a social institution (chiefly because of its uniquely pro-child characteristics) and it will explain why this special treatment is not discrimination and why the claim that it is, is a misapplication of the principle of equal treatment.