Varadkar leads celebration of decriminalising homosexuality

‘THE most remarkable thing about being gay in Ireland today is that it’s totally unremarkable,’ Leo Varadkar has told a State reception to mark the 25th anniversary of the decriminalisation of homosexual acts.

Ireland’s first openly gay Taoiseach quoted Lady Gaga’s song Born This Way, which provoked laughter from those in attendance.

During his speech at Dublin Castle, he referred to the recent crossparty motion in the Dáil in which apologies were issued to those who were convicted of homosexual acts.

He said this action was just an apology, and that the Government now wanted to go further and ‘expunge those convictions as well’.

Mr Varadkar said work would be carried out on detailed proposals to expunge the convictions and that he would have them by the end of the year. He added: ‘It’s going to take a bit of work, but we can do it.’

Hundreds attended the reception in Dublin Castle, including former president Mary Robinson, retired judge Catherine McGuinness, Senator David Norris and Children’s Minister Katherine Zappone.

Also in attendance were prominent gay people including former Rose of Tralee Maria Walsh and ex-RTÉ newsreader Aengus Mac Grianna.

And before the guests moved upstairs, the Dublin Ukulele Collective provided entertainment.

Later, taking questions on Brexit, Mr Varadkar said that Ireland should prepare its ports and airports for the possibility that no deal would be reached.