David Norris (Independent)

I move amendment No. a1:

In page 3, before section 3, to insert the following new section:

"3.—The provisions of this Act shall be construed as applying in all its sections to the registration of both marriage and civil partnership.".

I would like to express my appreciation to the staff of the House, who at the last minute facilitated me in tabling this amendment. I am extremely grateful to them for their courtesy and efficiency.

The amendment proposes that the provisions of this Act shall be construed as applying in all its sections to the registration of both marriage and civil partnership. I want both marriage and civil partnership included because people who do not have a religious belief in the conventional form or who are committed atheists, or whatever, but who have a belief in human values are entitled to the same degree of respect for their commitment to their relationships and the dignity of those relationships. This should be reflected in the law of the land. The same should be also true for same sex relationships and they should be recognised as marriage, but this has not happened. I know, for example, that the Unitarian church on St. Stephen's Green performs same sex unions, but these are simply religious ceremonies and are not recognised by the State. This is dreadful.

Perhaps we should go the way of France and separate entirely church and state. In light of a series of events that have happened recently, including the silencing of priests, instructions given on how to vote in England, Wales and Scotland on these issues, from what is, on one hand, the church and, on the other, a state, the Vatican, I called this morning for a debate on the relationship between church and state. One way to deal with the issues is to separate entirely the church from the State by stating that church marriages are a sacrament.

I am a believing Christian and I go to church every Sunday. I am not antagonistic towards any of the other churches including the Church of Rome and how could I be. However, in France, for example, the religious service is regarded merely as a sacrament which does not preside legally over the distribution of property which is essentially what the civil registration of marriage does as it sets down certain criteria for the division of property and the responsibilities of people towards each other. That is one way of doing it and as a religious person I would be very happy with this provision, that the State recognises only those that are registered under the patronage of the State and that the religious aspect becomes an option. It then becomes much more real for the people involved because they have chosen the option, because they want to do it. I suggest we use this Bill to advance not just one step further, but perhaps two or three. I recognise and I salute the efforts of my good friend, the leader of the Labour Party in the House, Senator Ivana Bacik, in bringing forward this Bill. I will be supporting it and I will not be putting this amendment to a vote. However, I think it is an important opportunity for us to raise these issues and to signal to the Government that we will not wait forever for equality. We will not put up with hearing a lot of prating about equality coming up to the 1916 commemoration when it simply does not exist and when there is still the absolute violation of the rights of children.

I note a baby protesting in the Gallery and I agree with you, darling, you are quite right. It is good to have young people in the House. Suffer the little children to come unto me.

I tabled this amendment at the last minute because I want to signal the first shot in a battle to have marriage recognised equally. I will not be obstructive and I will not press the amendment to a vote. I congratulate Senator Bacik and I hope this Bill will be voted through by the House today.