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

In congratulating the Minister of State, Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, and in particular Deputy Lyons for another momentous occasion in the Oireachtas, it is important that we pay tribute to the LGBT group of the INTO and to GLEN and others for bringing about this significant change.

As a schoolteacher, I am one of the people who would have been affected had we not made this change. This is not just about the quality of life of people like me but, as was alluded to by the Minister of State and the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O’Sullivan, in her speech, it is about the other people - the invisible people who were afraid for their own reasons to put their head above the parapet and to be that voice. However, they did articulate it through the INTO's LGBT group in order to make this change happen. That is why it is important that not alone do we cast aside the chill factor but we open the window to a new and different Ireland. The year 2015 will be remembered by those of us in the minority as the year when the majority accepted and embraced us. That is why this Government, irrespective of a particular viewpoint, brought about change with the Irish people. Deputy Spring referred to a particular party in government but I would prefer to say it is the body politic coming together to bring about change, irrespective of our ideologies and views.

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