David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am filling in for Senator Reilly and did not intend to speak this evening. I am taking the opportunity to do so, however, because it is an important issue. I welcome the Minister of State to the House and the fact that we are having a debate on this issue. Many of the main points have been made. The most obvious point we should make is that we must all offer leadership on this issue. The first step the State and we, as legislators, should take is to ensure there is equal recognition for LGBT people. This means full equality and that we must go beyond civil partnerships such that LGBT people will be allowed to marry and have equal rights in the same way as the rest of us. If the State does not confer on its citizens equality, this is partly why many in society are not minded to regard people as equals and the reason they look at differences rather than equality.

The State has a great responsibility in this regard. We should all promote equality. All institutions in the State have a great responsibility. I include the church, whose views and teachings on homosexuality are completely outdated and should change. This is part of the problem. When one considers that the church has control over many of our schools, which matter is being examined, is it any wonder that sexual education is what it is? When views such as those of the Catholic Church are being expressed and when there is not full equality for LGBT individuals, is it no wonder that there is a very high level of homophobic bullying in schools and throughout society?

Everybody should begin by looking at himself or herself. I would certainly raise my children by making sure they viewed people as equals and recognised and celebrated difference, be it in respect of people who come from different communities or people of a different sexuality, religion, race, creed or colour. I would stress that we are all equal and all human beings. If we start by promoting this ethos among our own children, it will be the best possible start we can give them.

Leaving aside our personal responsibilities as parents are citizens, as legislators we have a responsibility to ensure that we do the right thing. I recognise that there have been some positive moves recently on civil partnership, but we still have a long way to go to ensure this State fully vindicates the rights of LGBT people. While it is very welcome that we are having a very constructive debate in this House today, and that we are facing up to the reality that many people are being subjected to homophobic bullying, we must examine the practices of institutions, be they educational organisations or businesses, and those in workplaces. We must also consider ourselves. If we are not prepared to look at ourselves, we have no right to point the finger at other organisations. I hope that, in the coming years, the Government, which is a year and a half into its term of office, will prioritise the need to ensure full and equal recognition for gay people in respect of marriage. Once the State takes these steps, young people, especially, will realise that LGBT individuals are equal in the eyes of the State, and that this is how they should be viewed by everybody. We must first look to ourselves and ensure we do the right thing as legislators.