Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I am surprised, delighted and somewhat bemused to hear Senators Bacik and Norris express their support for what Senator McDonald said. However, I am glad to hear it. I support the reasonable amendment proposed by Senator Walsh. I do not understand why Senator Bacik characterised it as restricting further what was on offer. The Title of a Bill is largely descriptive of what is contained in it. Senator Walsh is striving for accuracy in the context of the constitutional preference for, and recognition of, marriage. He is simply seeking to describe what we are talking about in direct terms such as "partnership", "cohabitants" and "non-marital relationships". If such a modest proposal leads to the kind of response we have just heard from Senators Bacik and Norris, I do not know what is in store for the rest of the evening, when Members who have more substantive objections to the Bill stand up and explain their reasons. As I listened to Senator Norris, I could not help asking myself if this was the man who wanted to unite everybody as President of Ireland. That was not showing a spirit of kindness towards-----