The proposed change to the Constitution “devalues marriage” and risks putting polygamy on a par with monogamy, according to Senator Ronan Mullen.

Speaking in the Oireachtas in the debate on the upcoming referendum on the family, Senator Mullen said the proposal devalues marriage as it “equates the rights of a family based on marriage to those persons in a durable relationship and a durable relationship the Minister cannot define”.

“As far as I can see, despite protestations to the contrary… we are potentially placing polygamous relationships on a par.”

He added: “They are not entered into in Ireland because polygamy is illegal in Ireland but perhaps the ban on polygamy will be found to be repugnant to the Constitution in the light of this constitutional change in the future.”