The Tanaiste says the Marriage Referendum only applies to Civil Marriage and it will not interfere with religious ceremonies.
The Catholic Church has said it would withdraw their function of registering civil marriages, if the referendum on same-sex marriage passes later this month.
But Joan Burton says the amendment to the constitution is not looking to change the meaning of marriage, but rather extend it to gay and lesbian couples.
Tanaiste Burton says it the Church's decision how they choose manage their own catholic marriage ceremonies:
