Dominic Hannigan (Meath East, Labour)

I welcome the opportunity to speak on this Bill. Last year the Oireachtas introduced legislation that recognises same sex partnerships. I was delighted to speak in the debate on that legislation in the Seanad and I was also delighted with the support it received across all parties. This Bill builds on that legislation and again there is overwhelming support for it.

In the period following the introduction of the civil partnership legislation, a number of couples entered into civil partnership arrangements. The first was Mr. Barry Dignam and Mr. Hugh Walsh a few months ago. By the end of this month almost 300 people will have entered into civil partnerships, many of whom would have been waiting quite a long time to have their relationships recognised by the State. This Bill gives them equality in regard to financial affairs and, perhaps more importantly, it extends tax rights to children of same sex partnerships. This is the first time the State recognised a same sex family unit. Interestingly, throughout consideration of this legislation my office has not received one e-mail or telephone call with a complaint about it. It shows that Ireland as a nation has moved on significantly in recent decades. The children of civil partners will be given the same tax treatment as the children of a married couple and that includes step-children, adopted children and, in some cases, foster children. They should not be made to feel any different just because they grow up in a same sex partnership unit. This is good news and it marks the grounds for better rights for children across Irish society.

The legislation is also a great step forward for young LGBT people. Last week I spoke at an information night in County Clare at which there were many people from across the community. There were young lesbians and young gay men there. The message from them was that they wanted to make sure that there was equality in society and that they got great strength from the steps and strides that have been taken in legislation in recent years. This legislation shows them that they no longer have to feel isolated and that they are being treated the same as anybody else. The legislation will help to change social attitudes across the country.

This is not the end of the road as far as gay rights goes. We got a commitment in the programme for Government to bring the issue of same sex marriage before a constitutional convention and I look forward to doing that in the coming months. I hope that will happen within the lifetime of this Government. That question will ultimately be up to the people to decide but I welcome this legislation. It is great news. I compliment not only the current Government but the previous Government on their commitment to this measure and for the strides they took during the term of the previous Dáil to ensure that this legislation would see the light of day.

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