Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

I am glad to speak on this Bill, which has been promised for a long time. It would appear to have widespread support among Deputies. As a young Deputy in the early 1990s, I recall the former Minister, Mrs. Máire Geoghegan-Quinn, introducing legislation to decriminalise homosexuality. I was the only Government backbencher to speak in support of that measure at the time. Some people thought for a while that I might have had two heads, but it was wonderful that we had a woman Minister who was prepared to do the right thing despite the opposition that existed then. Over the past 20 years, Ireland has changed in many respects and we have become a much more mature country. There is certainly not the same resistance to this type of legislation now as there was 20 years ago. The Bill before us is long overdue, but I am glad it is being debated today. I acknowledge the contribution and continuous focus that the Labour Party, and Deputy Brendan Howlin in particular, gave to this matter. We discussed this issue on a number of occasions when he presented Private Members' Bills, which ensured that the Government did not rest on its laurels. We fulfilled the promises given, although it did not come about as quickly as most would have wished. It was a difficult Bill to draft, however, as a number of legal issues had to be addressed. I am still unhappy with certain aspects of it, so amendments will have to be tabled at a later stage. 1 o'clock

I acknowledge the role played by the Labour Party in this respect, and that of Deputy Howlin in particular. It is with pleasure that I wish to comment on the Bill. In many respects, while the legislation itself is important and necessary, the Government is acknowledging a reality that exists in this country. Many same-sex couples throughout the country live in real, meaningful and loving relationships, but for far too long we have turned our backs on these people and have found it easier to ignore them. By doing that, we have denied them their rights and rightful entitlements. This Bill is about rectifying that and giving them what they deserve. The Bill will provide protection and security to same-sex couples. It will provide entitlements many of us take for granted but which have been denied to these people for most of their lives. In bringing forward this legislation, we are making a clear statement to the country and to those in same-sex relationships that the State values their relationships and realises what these relationships mean to them. It realises this is an issue that must be dealt with professionally and given a place on our Statute Book.

The publication of the Bill appears to have widespread support not just in the Oireachtas, but outside it. However, there are those, and most of us have received correspondence from them, who are totally opposed to the introduction of this legislation and who see it as a bad move for the country. They are entitled to their opinions and that is what democracy is all about. I strongly support what we are doing, but it is a pity it has taken as long as it has to get to this stage. I warmly welcome it.

Many gay and lesbian people have endured unnecessary hardship as a result of living here. They have suffered hardship on a daily basis in trying to live a normal life. This is something many people outside the gay community do not understand. Discrimination has been a common experience for gay and lesbian people. Many of them were alienated, jeered and bullied and had, in many cases, to suffer in silence. For many of them coming out created enormous pressures, particularly with regard to how their families and work colleagues would react. Unless one has had a family member or friend who has gone through that experience, it is difficult to appreciate or understand the enormity of this challenge for gay and lesbian people. The delay by the Government in providing the necessary legislation for gay and lesbian couples has allowed that type of discrimination, hardship and abuse to continue.

We all need to love and to be loved. This legislation acknowledges that people in same-sex relationships can have a loving, fulfilling and rewarding relationship and it is important we recognise that. The publication of the Bill is welcome. However, I have a serious concern with regard to an aspect of it which has been mentioned by some of my colleagues, namely, where children are part of those relationships. In many same-sex relationships, one of the members is the parent of child living with the partners. The legislation makes no clear provision for such children in the case of the death of the parent, despite the fact the remaining living partner has acted as a parent to the child for a number of years. Once that parent dies, it is as if the relationship of the remaining partner with the child must end. This is something we should not tolerate. It is important we deal with that issue now. It would be ironic that if in bringing in the Civil Partnership Bill to deal with discrimination against same-sex couples, we created further discrimination against children.

I thank the Minister for bringing forward the legislation, which will have widespread support in the House. However, we must be seriously concerned about the issue of the children in these relationships and I hope this can be dealt with on Committee Stage.

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