Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

All Members in the House today are very passionate about this issue. They all have their own personal stories of people who have lost loved ones. I thank my Sinn Féin colleagues for some very good contributions. We talking about a Bill that is not perfect - we have Second Stage debates to try to tweak legislation - but it is not merely a Bill; it is a lifeline for thousands of families. We often come in here and talk about doing the right thing. This is the right thing. As people say, you do not need a marriage certificate to prove that you are in love with somebody. You do not need a marriage certificate to prove that you love your children, you love life, and you love family life. I say "family" because it should be treated in that sense even when you do not have a contract or a bit of paper. The proposed legislation will provide greater financial security for surviving partners and will guarantee that they will be entitled to receive pension benefits as well as the bereaved parent's grant. It is vital that we create a system that recognises the value of both partners' contributions to family life and ensures the surviving partner is not left vulnerable in their time of need, perhaps with a family to support. This is very important.

The passing of the Bill is simply doing the right thing for these families. Enacting and commencing the Bill will provide peace of mind and security for thousands of families during the most difficult times in their lives. It will create a fairer and more compassionate society where no one has to struggle alone in the wake of a tragedy. That is what it is about: doing the right thing in the wake of tragedy.

I acknowledge the O'Meara family, whose loss of a mother and partner led to the legal challenge that ultimately overturned the law and made this Bill possible. The challenge to the law was fought long and hard by John O'Meara and he should be commended for this. By passing the Bill without further delay, the Government will be standing with the bereaved, standing for justice, and standing for a future where no partner is left behind. It will ensure that future generations are spared the hardship that too many have suffered in the past. This needs to be a priority for the Government. I thank the Minister.

We have all had experiences. I will brief the House on a most recent one, which is worrying. It makes one aware of the urgency. I know of a mother of five kids who was due to get married, but her partner died the day before due to cancer. She is in a kind of limbo now. I feel very honoured to be here speaking on this Bill. I appeal for us to work together in this House to get this legislation passed as soon as we can. It is about justice and doing the right thing.

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