Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)

Equality is the equality to participate fully and not to adjust oneself over generations to concessions made by people who have not the courage to realise that a great wrong is being perpetrated. The time has come to let the light shine on the full yard that is human rights. This is a human right. People are being asked this evening to accept the principle or to reject it. If they accept it, which is what Second Stage legislation is all about, then let them enhance it and bring in legislation for parallel areas on Committee Stage. If they vote tonight against Second Stage, they are voting against the principles that all of us have been enunciating.

Dishonest arguments are being made. Last night, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform made reference to the Zappone-Gilligan case. He was asked to speak about the acceptance of what marriage is now, not what it should be or may be. It is an insult to you, Sir, and to me and to all of the others in the House to suggest that the Oireachtas, as the legislative arm, must wait until a Supreme Court decision is given.

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