The SDP congratulates "Irish women and men on the results of the historic referendum, after which Ireland became the first country in the world which legalised same-sex marriage in a referendum," a press release said.
The referendum turnout was 60.5 percent in a country in which 85% of the population declare themselves as Catholic, the SDP said. "In this way, Ireland has played a key role in the development of equality among people, which also makes it a symbol of equality and the fight for the equality of same-sex unions."
The party recalled that Croatia, by passing a law on same-sex life partnerships, which markedly upgraded the rights of lesbians, gays, bisexual and transgender persons, has been ranked fifth among 49 European states in terms of rights of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, and questioning individuals, providing for the exercise of 71% of their rights.
More than 62% of those who took part in the Irish referendum voted for same-sex marriage.