The Minister for Health Leo Varadkar has welcomed the news that the Marriage Act 2015 has been signed into law.

It now needs a commencement order to allow full same-sex marriages to begin within weeks.

It officially makes Ireland the first country to put same sex marriage in place through a vote of citizens.

Speaking to LMFM, Minister Leo Varadkar said it is an important milestone.

“The next thing that will happen is Minister Frances Fitzgerald signing the commencement order which will allow same-sex marriages to happen before the end of the year,” Mr Varadkar said.

“I imagine all the media will be trying to work out who is going to be first, but it is not me, so good luck in finding out.”