David Norris (Independent)

I agree with Senator Bacik that the issue of foreign relationships is extremely important. The Minister may remember a previous occasion - it may have been on the Order of Business - when I brought in three enormous files, each 1 ft thick. That is the degree of the practical problem on the ground. It is essential that we establish a clear position on the recognition of foreign relationships. Senator Bacik has absolutely intuited what I intended in this amendment. While I will not press it tonight, I reserve the right to re-enter it, as I might do with some other ones, on Report Stage.

I would like the Minister to consider the following proposition. I am sure he is well aware that the Icelandic Prime Minister, Johanna Sigurdardottir, has married within the last week in Reykjavik her female, same-sex, partner. That is a marriage. If there was a visit, or a decision to come and live in this country, would the Minister consider it appropriate to purport to downgrade the recognition given to that relationship in a foreign country? That would be colossal impertinence. I would be astonished if that happened. We ought to have respect for other institutions. Even if there is reluctance to recognise marriage here, we should certainly recognise the right of other jurisdictions to make what arrangements they democratically, with free votes, in full conscience, with due deference to tolerance and all the rest of that decide to make for their citizens.