David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Senator Bacik that this is an important advance but, at the same time, I am the only person who was a Member of the House when the original Bill was introduced, which was in its time an advance. The then Minister was Mervyn Taylor who is also a member of the Labour Party and he was an extremely decent and honourable man. When I challenged him on it, the reason he gave was the same as that given by Senator Bacik. He said, "This is as far as we can go at this time". I did not accept that then and I do not accept it now. It is regrettable that, following the public consultation, which was not particularly necessary and which was just a delaying tactic, we do not have the advice from that. We also do not have the advice of the Equality Authority, which was substantially weakened and damaged by the previous Government. I protested against that and I am sorry that it was gerrymandered with the assistance of the gay member on that board. That was an absolute disgrace. I tell the truth; I do not give a damn how uncomfortable how it is. The fact that people are gay does not make them immune from criticism. The removal of Niall Crowley was an absolute disaster for the authority's board. Let us ask from this session that we be presented with advice from the authority. What the hell else is it there for? What are its members paid for if it is not to provide advice on specific issues such as this? This is one of the most burning equality issues and we should not be deprived of this advice for some ridiculous reason. The authority's members have had a year. Let us know what they have to say. They are probably confused about all kinds of things at the moment.

I have a point to make on something I believe is a little disgusting. I know we are not supposed to use the word "disgusting" anymore but I am politically incorrect. It is disgusting that we should ask people their religious beliefs. What does it matter? Why should one have to list one's religious belief when one applies for a job? On the census form, there was a question asking for one's religious belief. I am a religious person and put down "11.52 and 35 seconds" and that my current religious belief was such and such. It changes with my digestion, whether I have slept well, whether I have been to communion, etc. To take the Mickey out of the census form, I wrote all over it my current theological position, making reference to the patristic sources, etc., and my views on the existence of God.

When I was in boarding school and day school, one of which I loathed and the other of which I liked, we never asked our teachers their religion. We did not find out that the Latin teacher and geography teacher were Roman Catholic until we went to their funerals. We found that the funerals, instead of being in St. Bartholomew's or the cathedral, were in the Star of the Sea church or the Church of the Three Patrons in Rathgar. That is how it should be.