The Northern Ireland Assembly is to debate the issue of same-sex marriage, for a fifth time, this November 2, it has been announced.

According to the Christian Institute, despite four previous defeats for motions in favour of same-sex marriage – the latest being in April – members of Sinn Fein, the SDLP and the Green Party are to press ahead with a fresh motion.

Backers of the motion have been emboldened not by the introduction of same-sex marriage in the Republic of Ireland and in Britain.

 In August, as Sinn Fein announced its intention to continue with its campaign for same-sex marriage, the party’s Assembly Member Caitriona Ruane stated: “Sinn Féin gave a commitment to campaign for marriage equality and given the recent moves in both Britain and the South of Ireland we believe the time is right to extend these rights to the north. We have committed to bringing a motion on marriage equality back to the floor of the Assembly and we intend to meet that commitment in the new Assembly term.”

The DUP will not vote for same-sex marriage and would veto any Bill that was passed in the Assemby.