Jerry Buttimer (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Minister and her staff, some of whom are present, on making such a major input into the Bill before us, the legislation providing for the referendum and the Children and Family Relationships Act. The work of departmental staff in preparing the legislation should be acknowledged.

This is an historic and important day in the history of the State. The people have spoken. There are men and women of the Yes Equality campaign in the Gallery. They are civic-minded volunteers who had the courage and bravery to campaign door to door. I commend them on their heroic campaign. I also pay tribute to the former Tánaiste, Deputy Eamon Gilmore, and the former Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Alan Shatter, who played an instrumental role following the establishment of the Government in ensuring that the Constitutional Convention would debate the issue of marriage equality. The convention's debate on the issue was a seminal moment in the campaign. The Acting Chairman, Deputy Derek Keating, and Deputy Mary Lou McDonald were members of the Constitutional Convention. The weekend of debate in Malahide was one of the memorable and moving moments in the 12-month life of the convention. Those who question the validity of Constitutional Convention should recall the day in Malahide on which citizens, the convention's non-elected members, reached a decision following a debate characterised by passion and fervour.

Marriage equality is without doubt an issue that has exercised Irish people and people all over the world. As I stated on Second Stage, we are a small nation with a big heart, and that message is beaming across a watching world. For as long as men and women are being persecuted, those of us who enjoy the privilege of having been elected have a duty to provide a voice for those who cannot speak for themselves and to represent them on the world stage.

I commend the Minister on the leadership she has shown on this issue. Some people had the temerity to question the Taoiseach's commitment on this issue. The Taoiseach was not found wanting, and led from the front by embarking on a journey in which he demonstrated that leadership is about people. I commend the Minister, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Coveney, who was the director of the Government's referendum campaign.

Today is an historic day which makes me proud to be a Member of the Dáil. I commend the work the Government has done with Irish people to show the world that Ireland is a country of freedom in which all citizens are equal. In May of this year, on the eve of the centenary of the 1916 Rising, Irish people rose up and said "Yes" to all.

See this speech in context