Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The Government considers that this issue must be addressed within the existing constitutional framework. A constitutional amendment to qualify the status of marriage to accommodate gay and lesbian relationships would, in the view of the Government, be highly unlikely to succeed. If such an amendment were attempted, it could be very counterproductive in terms of achieving social consensus on this issue. The Government is unequivocally in favour of treating gay and lesbian people as full and equal citizens in society. It is complex and challenging to give effect to this principle in legislation by providing for civil partnerships, as it involves thinking about a host of related matters. We owe a debt of gratitude to the courageous men and women who have campaigned for many years to achieve equality for gay and lesbian people. From the dark days of prejudice, a new tolerance has emerged, based on our appreciation of the fact that homosexual people are in every respect entitled to be equally valued as members of society and not to be relegated to an inferior status. That is what republicanism is all about.

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