Susan O'Keeffe (Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is a good day. I thank the Minister for coming to the House and, as the Senator has said, reorganising the Bill to ensure it meets all the requirements, including being watertight, that humanists and others would have wanted. Drafting legislation is difficult. Having seen the Bill initiated here and come to fruition in a year is evidence of how difficult it is to get legislation right. It is correct that it is watertight. However, I was amused momentarily by the idea of a Labour Party or GAA solemniser. That would have been quite entertaining but I note correctly that is not the case.

I am grateful to the Senator for having had the vision to bring forward the amendment. It is a good day for Ireland. It is a sign that we are growing up as a society, that we recognise the need for greater inclusion and equality in marriage. I share some of Senator Norris's concerns. He knows as we know that the constitutional convention will address the issue of same-sex marriage. We will wait for that because that convention is itself a recognition of the way we are changing. It is welcome that the Government can see that it is appropriate to invite members of the public to debate matters and make recommendations. I welcome the constitutional convention's role. Some people have said it will not do enough or it is not starting in the right place. It has to start somewhere and we made a good start last Saturday.

I welcome the Bill. I thank Senator Bacik, the Minister and her officials. It is a sign of our growing up and our capacity to legislate for things that are important. Even though it accommodates a small group it sends a signal to the world and society of what matters to us.