Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the opportunity to make a brief contribution to this important debate. It is traditional on these occasions to compliment the mover of the Bill and I do so sincerely. If Deputy Howlin does not mind, I will compliment him on his efforts in this regard.

I often made the point that it is always good to see people in the Visitors Gallery and I am pleased so many are here tonight. It is a pity the Polish gentleman who visited the Ceann Comhairle on Monday was not here last night and is not here tonight but chose Dublin Castle as the venue to make the statements he made yesterday. It would be good if he heard the debate last night and tonight. I hope what happened yesterday will be corrected.

It is right that Dáil Éireann gets an opportunity to discuss equality for same-sex couples. I welcome this historic opportunity as a public representative and legislator who deals on a regular basis with the problems of my constituents who are prevented from marrying in this State.

I support the Government amendment a little reluctantly because same-sex couples have an urgent need and right to have their relationships placed on a sound legal footing. However, the manner proposed by the Labour Party is not the best way to tackle it. I trust the track record of the Government in moving towards a more equal society for all its citizens. I hope colleagues on all sides of the House will consider the situation in this way.

I agree that same-sex couples have waited too long for the legal recognition they are entitled to as citizens of this Republic. However, I am reminded that Fianna Fáil, and the then Minister for Justice, Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, proposed the decriminalisation of homosexuality when in government with the Labour Party.

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