The act gives legislative effect in statute law to the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution of Ireland, which mandates such provision.
Lawyer Benedict Ó Floinn felt the bill's drafting should have been completed before the referendum, to minimise the lacuna during which statute law is out of step with the constitution.
[24] Fitzgerald allowed for a delay to enable registrars to ask couples with pending civil partnership registrations whether they wish to marry instead.
[33][34] The bill was scheduled to be introduced in Seanad Éireann on 15 October,[35] but the day's sitting was cancelled for the state funeral of Garda Tony Golden.
[43] In accordance with the Constitution, the bill was sent to the office of the President of Ireland, who is required to sign it into law between five and seven days after its passage.
[44][45] As President Michael D. Higgins was on an official visit to the United States, the bill was actually signed by the Presidential Commission.
[46][47] On 10 November 2015, at a ceremony in Dublin Castle, minister Fitzgerald signed the order that would commence the act from 16 November,[2][3] and Joan Burton, the Minister for Social Protection, signed a separate order amending the regulations for civil registration of marriages converted from civil partnerships.