Ryan O'Meara (Tipperary North, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I would like to start on a personal note. I acknowledge Johnny O'Meara, his late partner Michelle and their three kids, namely Aoife, Jack and Tommy. Johnny is an O'Meara from Toomevara, north Tipperary. I, too, am an O'Meara from Toomevara, north Tipperary. We grew up as neighbours and family friends. Johnny's dad, Jack, actually owned the farm across the road from us where I grew up and was a fantastic neighbour and friend to our family for many years. I am here today particularly to acknowledge Johnny and the battle he fought in his Supreme Court case, which is now seminal. His name will live forever in the case. The case is seminal because few can say they will have such an impact on hundreds and possibly thousands of lives and families by way of bettering their lives in very sad circumstances for many years to come. During Johnny's battle in his case, he was extremely determined. He was quite quiet but quite determined in his battle. That he fought his case so publicly has to be admired. He did it all for his children. That is what I really want recognised here today. It takes an enormous act of bravery. When we come into this House, we want to do the best we can for as many people as possible, but what Johnny has done through this case is an enormous amount of good work that any of us, at the end of our careers, would be happy to have done for so many people.

I also acknowledge the work done by Deputy Alan Kelly, especially prior to my time in this House, in supporting Johnny. That should not go unrecognised. It is important, as colleagues, to recognise that and the work the Deputy has done with the Minister, Deputy Calleary. I thank Deputy Calleary for taking up this Bill so quickly and starting to progress it at this stage. Many of us are grateful for that.

I welcome and support the Bill. We in Fianna Fáil do. It will give effect to the Supreme Court case extending access to the widow’s, widower’s and surviving civil partner's contributory pension to qualified cohabitants for the first time. Once enacted, it will provide surviving qualified cohabitants with access to the bereaved partner's contributory pension. This is an important financial safeguard for individuals and families who are grieving. The loss of a loved one does not discriminate between those who are married and those who live together in committed relationships. The Supreme Court recognised that such a distinction was unequal when it came to the widower's contributory pension.

With this legislation, we will ensure a significant financial support is equally available to grieving partners. Those who lived with their now-deceased partner for two years or more and had children will qualify, and those who did not have children will qualify where they lived together for five years or more. It is welcome that the Minister has introduced that and gone beyond the scope of the Supreme Court case.

I noted at the time of the Supreme Court ruling that it seemed to be in relation to children, and to go beyond that is a very welcome and progressive thing to do. I also welcome that the payment will be backdated to 22 January 2024, the date of the ruling of the case.

I put on the record that I will fully support this at every stage, if I can help in progressing it. I call for the enactment of this Bill as quickly as possible. It recognises that we now live in a modern Ireland in 2025 where family structures are not always black and white. I look forward to working closely with the Minister and colleagues in this Chamber on this.

We live in a modern Ireland now and it is a very positive thing to see this Government progressing such progressive and modern legislation. In relation to intimate and committed relationships, I understand that definition has probably been long-established in case law, particularly in relation to succession rights, but it would be nice to see that clearly defined in this Bill.

I again acknowledge Johnny O'Meara and the battle he has undertaken. I thank the Minister for meeting with Johnny and for progressing this at such an early stage. I look forward to working on this Bill with the Minister over the coming months.

See this speech in context