David Norris (Independent)

I wish to make it clear that I think this is a mean-minded and thoroughly nasty amendment. Senator Ó Murchú presumed to tell me what those whom he inaccurately described as the bishops of the Protestant church believed on this issue. He got it wrong. I am a long-standing member of the Anglican church. Apparently, I cannot even stand by my own church. I know exactly how to interpret what is happening. I say the amendment is mean-minded because, having persuaded the Government to make a clear distinction between various marital states, certain interests then felt the need to rub our noses in it, as a community, by making an amendment to the Title, contrary to all the evidence from other countries. The entire purpose of the change was to rub the noses of the members of the gay community in their second-class status, just in case we had not noticed it. For that reason, I will definitely oppose the amendment.

I have a lot to say about freedom of speech and freedom of conscience. It would be wonderful if that debate were to take place tonight.