Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

These two amendments are interesting. They propose to delete the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Act 2015 and substitute the Thirty-Fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Redefinition of Marriage) Act 2015 and delete the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Equality) Act 2015 and substitute the Thirty-fourth Amendment of the Constitution (Marriage Without Distinction as to Sex) Act 2015. To be fair, both describe exactly what the Bill seeks to bring about. The Bill is preparing the ground for the holding of a referendum in order that the people can vote either to accept or reject a redefinition of marriage as framed in the Constitution and supported in case law that it is a union of a man and a woman. I am speaking about this issue in a very open way. I have yet to decide how I will vote, but that is exactly what the Bill seeks to do. The wording in amendments Nos. 3 and 4 provides honest and accurate descriptions. The Title of the Bill, Marriage Equality Bill, has been designed by the Government to confuse and achieve a certain result. It is disingenuous and misleading and unfair to the voter.

I voted in favour in the children rights referendum and was glad that I supported it. However, there is no definitive outcome. Therefore, lessons should be learned. Should the referendum on marriage equality be carried, I will accept the outcome, but we have a duty to be clear for the sake of the voter. That is our job in the Houses of the Oireachtas. Not every voter on the street reads legislation, but many people - I hope many more - will vote. People take time when they vote to read what they are voting on, but all that will be provided on the ballot paper is the Title of the Bill. The Minister should want it to be as clear as possible, which is only good and right.

I have received a lot of feedback which shows that the whole debate is underpinned by fear, so much so that people are afraid to express how they feel. That is unbelievable and outrageous. Senator David Norris spoke about how much he was against the McKenna judgment; I say thank God for that judgment, as otherwise no voices would be heard. To be fair to those involved in the gay movement, they have fought for decades to have their differences recognised, which is why I voted in favour of civil partnership. Now, the word, "equality" is being introduced into the marriage issue as if being gay and heterosexual is the same. We know that it is different, but it is okay to be different. They are equal as people but clearly different in their orientation, which is great and fine. I urge the Minister to be courageous and call it what it is - a redefinition of marriage or marriage without distinction as to sex. That would be new and different for the people and we are not in dispute on the issue of equality, but the reference to marriage equality is very misleading. The Government should be committed to framing the Title accurately.