David Norris (Independent)

I am speaking from a lifetime's experience.

Then there is the ability to deal with people, which has a HR aspect, including judgment, appearance, articulation, organisational skills and ability to give time. These criteria may be fine for the humanist and I am sure they work within these small groups, but for an objective assessment, we need to examine these criteria and enshrine them in the Bill.

This Bill is very useful. I am glad that Senator Zappone referred to the earlier passage of the registration Bill. I raised issues concerning the recognition of same sex relationships at that point. I certainly raised it during the passage of the civil partnership Bill. There is a serious problem here because it amounts to religious discrimination. I do not think I have ever attended a humanist service, but I would be very happy to do so, should be I invited, although I hope it would be a wedding or a christening rather than a funeral. The Quakers and the Unitarians have no difficulty whatever in solemnising not just civil partnerships but full, same sex marriage. I know this because I have attended one of those in the Unitarian church in St. Stephen's Green. It seems to represent discrimination against a particular religion not to permit this. I argued that point strongly during the passage of the previous Bill.

I am very happy that this Bill should go through. It will benefit from amendments and I am sure that Senator Bacik and Senator O'Keeffe will be in a position to do this. We on this side will play a co-operative role and perhaps while it is being redrafted, they will consider the points that have been made. They may not accept them, but they might like to consider them for inclusion in the discussion. I assume that we are just dealing with Second Stage today and it will be possible to table this type of amendment. I look forward to the opportunity to speak further on the Bill on Committee Stage.