Iona Institute

{{politics}}
The '''Iona Institute''' is the name of an [[Irish]] [[conservative]] [[think tank]], that says it ''"promotes the place of marriage and religion in society"''. <ref>[https://ionainstitute.ie/about-the-iona-institute/ About the Iona Institute], The Iona Institute</ref> It is known for being a regular talking head of religious [[dogma]] in the Irish media especially with the public broadcaster [[RTÉ]], on spouting on various social issues including [[marriage]], [[abortion]] and the family. The name itself refers to the Iona Abbey, a Scottish church based on the isle of Iona which is the centre of Celtic [[Christian]] [[mythology]]. Since its founding, the director of Iona has been {{wpl|David Quinn (columnist)|David Quinn||,}} a former editor of the traditionalist ''Irish Catholic'' weekly newspaper and former religious affairs correspondent for the conservative ''Irish Independent'' daily newspaper. Conservative writer {{wpl|Breda O'Brien}} who writes a weekly column for the centrist ''Irish Times'' newspaper, is a patron of the institute.<ref>[https://ionainstitute.ie/personnel-and-patrons/ Personal and Patrons] ''Iona Institute''.</ref> 

Despite its name implying that it is a non-profit, it is actually a brand of the company "Lolek Company Limited By Guarantee",<ref>[https://www.solocheck.ie/Irish-Company/Lolek-Company-Limited-By-Guarantee-424940#report-2 Lolek Company Limited By Guarantee - Irish Company Info - SoloCheck]</ref> which according to the national companies register shows that a limited company as charities or institutes doesn't need to state they are limited by guarantee.<ref>[https://www.cro.ie/Registration/Company/Incidental-Obligations/Company-Name CRO-Company Name], Companies Registration Office</ref>

== Pantigate ==
The institute came into international view when during an interview on RTÉ's ''The Saturday Night Show'' female impersonator Rory O’Neill (a.k.a. by his [[drag]] name Panti Bliss) accuse them as well as two other columnists Breda O'Brien and John Waters, of being [[homophobic]] on the grounds of opposing [[same-sex marriage]]. Iona threatened RTÉ with libel action, but rather than going to court RTÉ paid a pre-out-of-court settlement of €85 000.<ref>Duffey, Rónán [https://www.thejournal.ie/rte-pantigate-1381756-Mar2014/ RTÉ bosses say that fighting Pantigate action would have been 'foolhardy'] ''The Journal''.</ref> This action was criticised by Rory O’Neill,<ref>Bohan, Christine [https://www.thejournal.ie/panti-rory-oneill-miriam-ocallaghan-1307439-Feb2014/ Panti: I'm expecting an apology from RTE] ''The Journal''.</ref> later others including gay-rights campaigner [[David Norris]] in Seanad and Paul Murphy in the European Parliament as silencing of freedom of speech. <ref>Daly, Susan [https://www.thejournal.ie/david-norris-paul-murphy-homophobia-1299707-Feb2014/ David Norris and Paul Murphy raise homophobia in Irish and EU parliaments], TheJournal.ie</ref> This event led to a [[Streisand effect]] on Panti and made her a cause célèbre for [[gay rights]] in Ireland and became the face of same-sex marriage referendum in Ireland.

==External links==
* [https://ionainstitute.ie/ Iona Insitute's homepage]

==References==
{{reflist|2|80%}}

[[Category:Catholicism]]
[[Category:Homophobes]]
[[Category:Ireland]]
[[Category:Organizations]]
[[Category:Theocracy]]
[[Category:Think tanks]]

Categories: Catholicism, Homophobes, Ireland, Organizations, Theocracy, Think tanks