Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

I am disappointed in Senator Bacik's suggestion that my style of debating could be interpreted as introducing a discordant note. It is probably more out of frustration than anything else. My initial interpretation of her motives in introducing this legislation was that she wanted to facilitate the Humanist Association of Ireland. She has since mentioned another organisation, Atheist Ireland, which I did not even know existed. Does that organisation possess a formal structure? Does it celebrate weddings? Does it have some form of blessing or something that meets the criteria set out in the Bill? Since the legislation was introduced in 2004 has there been one application from any organisation that was excluded under the original 2004 legislation? By the Minister's silence I know the answer already - there has been none unless there has been one about which we have not heard. I will not oppose the Bill. In one sense I felt it was being helpful by introducing the one organisation that has seen itself to be excluded. It is obvious that it is a matter of such import to it that its representatives are in the Gallery today and I welcome them. We tabled this amendment in order to simplify the situation.

I understand Senator Bacik's reasons for specifying the criteria. In fairness to her, a query on the criteria was raised on Second Stage. I will not labour the point further. While I will not take the matter to extremes, given the original motives of the Bill I feel all this is unnecessary to facilitate an organisation that feels excluded. The drafters of the original legislation went out of their way to ensure they had almost total inclusivity. That was the purpose of the original 2004 legislation.