No campaign gets message out ahead of referendum

As the marriage referendum debate enters its final month, the 'No’ campaign finally made their presence felt in Cavan with volunteers last week mounting posters on telegraph poles around the county.
The 'Yes’ side, driven locally by the LGBT in Cavan group, has already launched their campaign with eye-grabbing events in Cavan Town’s Market Square and video messages from straight people calling for support in the referendum. They followed this up on Friday with the arrival of the 'Yes Equality Bus’ in town, and before a 'Yes-Fest’ music event drew hundreds to Blessings Bar.
In contrast the 'No’ campaign has, to date, flown below the radar. However, on Thursday afternoon, the Celt spoke to Tony Smith from Ballyjamesduff, as he was joined by Brian Cunningham from Ballinagh in erecting a variety of 'No’ posters around Cavan Town on behalf of the 'Mothers and Fathers Matter’ campaign.
Mr Smith “absolutely” agrees with the Celt that the 'No’ side are only getting their campaign rolling now. He said he hopes they can get enough momentum behind their campaign to make a difference come May 22. He is dismissive of successive opinion polls which show that the vast majority of people surveyed are supportive of same-sex marriage.
“I never did give much heed to polls to be quite honest with you, and I’ve been involved in politics all my life,” said Mr Smith, who is also a stalwart of the Pro-Life lobby.

'Can’t be done’
“Same sex couples already have their civil partnership, and no matter how you see it or how you do it, they can’t have equality with a normal heterosexual marriage; it can’t be done. The difference is, a proper marriage is a man and a woman; this is two men or two women, it can’t be done. Logically it can’t be done.
“At the end of the day two men can’t make a child; two women can’t make a child.
“God created us male and female for a purpose.”
He added: “I have no problem with same sex couples, it’s fine, let them go ahead, they have their civil partnerships. At the end of the day, if it was only about marriage, that wouldn’t be a problem, but where children come into it - where a child won’t know it’s mother or father - this surrogacy, it’s shocking. That’s where I’m coming from.”
Is he opposed to surrogacy for straight couples?
“I would be,” he confirmed. “The natural thing is that a child to know its father and mother.”