[quote=@Vilageidiotx]
Marriage is a legal situation. It effects[/quote]

It's 'affects', with an 'a'. Opinion discarded.

[@Darkmatter] From a cursory glance at relevant polls, it seems like the vast majority (>75%) of Irishmen support same-sex marriage. Why is a referendum on the subject only happening now if the question is so wildly one-sided?