Ivana Bacik (Independent)

I welcome the members of the Humanist Association of Ireland who are in the Gallery and I thank them very much for their help and support with this legislation.

As colleagues know, because we had a very full debate on Second Stage on 10 November, this Bill is aimed at making a small but significant change in the law on the registration of civil marriages. It does not extend to civil partnerships which, of course, are governed by separate legislation. I hope this Bill will be passed and it had full support from all sides on Second Stage last November. If passed, it will allow for the registration of legal marriages by members of, for example, the Humanist Association of Ireland and of other philosophical and non-confessional bodies who may apply under the criteria we have provided for. The amendments which I have put forward, and I thank the Minister for her support, will seek to deal with some issues identified on Second Stage as to what should be the criteria for designation of a non-religious body which can apply for registration. This is the context of this Bill and I will speak further on those amendments when they arise.

I thank Senator Norris and Senator Zappone for their contribution to the debate on Second Stage and for tabling the amendment today because it is useful that we would debate the broader issue of extension of provisions to civil partnership. However, I am grateful to Senator Norris for indicating he will not put the amendment to a vote because this would do a different thing as it would deal with civil partnerships. As Senator Norris knows, I entirely agree with him and with Senator Zappone on the need to separate church and State and the need to ensure equality between gay couples and straight couples. I support the Senators on gay marriage and I entirely agree with their views in that regard. However, this legislation is to deal with civil marriages only and with the registration of civil marriages which are dealt with under different provisions. There is another issue to deal with as regards civil partnerships. I hope to deal with that once this Bill has been passed. I would like to work with the Senators in the future on civil partnership law generally. We are all in agreement in principle but, as Senator Norris said, this amendment is putting down a marker about future developments in the law.