Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Bill and congratulate all those who campaigned for many years for what they saw as their basic rights. We are not conferring anything on them other than their basic human rights, so they can be seen as equals in the eyes of the law and of society as well. I am proud of the part my party has played in advancing that agenda over a number of years. I spoke on this issue in 1993, during the debate on decriminalising homosexuality. We allowed society to open up, engage with, understand and respect every individual in this country. I am proud of the role Fianna Fáil has played right up to the passage of this Bill, which will be on the Statute Book shortly. It will grant full entitlements and rights in areas such as taxation and inheritance.

Equally, the legislation will protect children by conferring rights on them. The Bill covers sons, daughters and step-children. It also covers children adopted under adoption orders within the meaning of section 3(1) of the Adoption Act 2010, or children who are the subject of an inter-country adoption effected outside the State and recognised under the Act. The Bill confers rights on children, thus giving them protection as well as formalising relationships. It allows people to get on with their lives unhindered so they can participate in and contribute to society in a meaningful and dignified way. It will also give people an opportunity to express themselves in whatever way they wish without interference or fear.

The vast majority of people in society are open and tolerant, but there is still an undercurrent or racism and homophobia in our country. We must continually be watchful against such attitudes. When the Celtic tiger was running around this island, there was an open attitude to everybody coming to our shores to work and assist the economy. However, when there is a downturn that attitude can change, becoming insidious and causing nasty undercurrents. It is sometimes used politically, without being stated directly. I find that deeply offensive to the views I hold and cherish. We are a tolerant nation and should welcome all peoples to our shores if they want to make a meaningful contribution to our society. All political parties have a duty to ensure that undercurrent is not exploited, as it is sometimes by individuals who may want to advance themselves by playing to the lowest common denominator, stirring up deep, inner human fears. At times we must suppress such fears in order to promote a more tolerant view of all those who live on this island, including immigrants.

As we have seen from rioting in Belfast over the last two nights, there is concern that intolerant attitudes can spill over. It has also happened in this jurisdiction where people have been attacked or even killed because they are not Irish, look different to the majority or come from other countries. We must be careful and conscious of such matters, while continuing to nurture our tolerant society. The country must be encouraged to move in that direction, thus ensuring that all traditions, views, orientations and nationalities sharing this island will feel safe. They should be confident to express themselves as they wish, provided they comply with the laws of the land.

I commend the strong sentiments of support by everybody in the House for this Bill. There is also broad political support for this measure in the Seanad. It deserves nothing less than such support as it basically ensures that every individual is respected equally in the eyes of the law.

I commend the Bill to the House.

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