It's an historic day for lesbian and gay couples who are now legally entitled to get married in Ireland.

The last legal hurdle was cleared last week when Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald signed the commencement order for the Marriage Equality Act.

The new laws come into effect following the referendum vote in May - 62 per-cent voted to change the constitution to allow for same-sex marriage.

Tiernan Brady is the Policy Director of equality group GLEN.

He says today is a very special day;