Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

-----but I stood up and got a right earful and lashing from people around me. I believe if one has it in one's heart, one should let it come out. This matter is in my heart and I am glad we are here today putting through this legislation.

No one has a monopoly on everything. I look forward to the debate and to hearing views opposing mine. I shall make one point on the conscience clause. I always hope I would be big enough, if one of my four children came home and said, "Mum, I am gay", that I would embrace them with the same love with which I embrace them every day. My biggest fear would be that they would have to live in a society such as Ireland as been until today. My fear would be for their safety, well-being and education - everything we, as Irish people, value - because they would not be accepted.

I was very taken by what Senator Donohoe said. We cannot choose the people we love. He is entirely right about that and put the point across very eloquently. It made me think that neither can we choose how we are born or who we are. We have no control over our sexuality. There has always been a debate in this regard; is it nature or nurture? Some people will say it is a little of both. I do not believe that; I believe it is nature. I heard Senator Norris's contribution and would say, shame on us as a society if, when a person is not born as the norm, we turn our back on that person.

I am glad today has come and am very glad I am a Member of Seanad Éireann and can play my part in saying today is a watershed in the lives of gay and cohabiting people. Doing so, I apologise that society did not recognise the rights of gay people until now.

No one has a monopoly on conscience or deeply held beliefs. I and many of my colleagues have deeply held beliefs. I firmly believe, for example, that a family which does not conform to a traditional father-mother-two children model is no less deserving of protection. Love, fidelity and caring are what bind a family together. These are the marks of a family, not whatever model to which the State decides it should conform.