Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

We have seen dramatic changes in Irish society over the years. Until 1972 women had to leave the public service if they got married. I agree with Senator Norris's remarks on former Deputy Máire Geoghegan-Quinn coming into the Houses and decriminalising homosexuality, an act that displayed great political courage. It was an extraordinarily brave action in the political context of the time.

It is one thing to discuss theory but real lives are different and what we say and do has a real impact on them. We talk about the ideal forms of family for children but the reality of what works for children is different. The quality of parenting is key, and no one can quote any study that proves one way or another which family form is best for children. Whether with male or female, married couples or same-sex couples, the key to the child's future is the quality of the relationship and the care the child receives. I acknowledge that we still live in a deeply homophobic society despite the changes we have seen. We must be aware of that fact and be sensitive to it. Children are being brought up in same-sex families for whom words spoken casually here could be extraordinarily painful and difficult. There are heartfelt views on this matter. We have seen the debate in the United States, which is at a different stage from what is occurring here. It does not matter whether one is left wing or right wing, conservative or liberal, people have deeply held views on this issue. It is not easy because it brings out all the different views and values people have.

We live in a society where people die because of homophobic attitudes. As a recent report showed, young men and women experience extraordinary levels of discrimination in school if they are gay. Anecdotally we know that suicide rates are greatly impacted upon by the horrific pressures experienced by homosexuals, which can lead to a lifetime of depression, upset and difficulty. While we have seen great progress, society still has much work to do in this area generally.

My legal advice is that without the legal structure of civil partnership in place and the issues of permanence that would be so addressed, these amendments are premature. I fully accept that they are not premature for those who want to see this legislation in place, such as gay couples with children who want recognition and legal status. I accept that people in such circumstances are experiencing difficulties. When will the civil partnership legislation come before the House? Is it intended to address in that legislation some of the anomalies that were outlined by Senator Bacik? She said this type of amendment was dealt with in England under adoption legislation, but civil partnership legislation may already have been in place there, although I am not absolutely sure. I ask the Minister of State to comment on those matters.