Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The numerous favourable soundbites from the Taoiseach over recent times are not in accordance with what we have heard tonight from the Government or with its amendment.

Gays must be treated as full and equal citizens of this Republic. Why should legislators wait again for the courts to force us to legislate on this issue? Gay weddings have attracted much attention and coverage in other jurisdictions, perhaps because of their novelty. Significantly, the dominant theme is of happiness and joy on the occasion not only for those participating but also for their friends and relatives. In contrast, I recently attended the funeral of a single man in my constituency. His relatives, brothers and sisters organised the event from start to finish. They engaged in all the work involved, from the removal to the church to the post-funeral refreshments. The removal was not from the house of the deceased, where he died, but from the family home where he had not resided for many years.

It was a sad spectacle to see the long-term friend and partner of the deceased in a seat in the side aisle of the church, relegated to the status of a bystander at the funeral ceremony and last rites for his long-term partner. He cut a lonely figure away from the main event, consigned to the shadows. That is indicative of the shadows to which many persons in the gay community have been consigned by the Government over the years. Had this legislation been law, the man would at least have been accorded the decency and dignity of the status that is currently denied to him.

This is a matter of justice, equality and human rights. I and the Fine Gael Party support this Bill. I urge the Minister to let it proceed to Committee Stage and if there are imperfections, we can deal with them then on an all-party basis.

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